Verstappen's ex-teammates sympathise with Perez: 'That's so tough'
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There is a lot of pressure on Sergio Perez's shoulders. The Mexican is struggling alongside Max Verstappen and his position is said to be under threat. Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon know all too well how the Red Bull driver must feel.
For Gasly and Albon, Perez's situation must feel familiar. Feeling like a very good driver yourself, but then having to race alongside Verstappen. Then suddenly Verstappen turns out to be able to do things with a Red Bull that you cannot. Ahead of the Mexico Grand Prix, Verstappen's former teammates look back on their time alongside the Dutchman.
Why being Verstappen's teammate is difficult
''I think it's always tough. I think it's tough to go against one of the quickest, one of the best drivers on the grid and call it a generational talent to some extent. So it wasn't easy my year. I'm sure it wasn't easy for Pierre in his year. But we're drivers, we go through tough times. It makes us stronger. There's not too much to say. I think he [Perez] is handling it quite well, at least from what I see,'' Albon said at the press conference in Mexico.
His predecessor fully agrees with Albon: "[It is] never easy to go against probably the best driver at the moment in combination with the best team and a team that is fully around him. So obviously a tough job. Checo did very well at the start of the season, obviously, for some reasons it's not going as well now. Reasons we don't know, but I just wish him the best. Obviously, it's an important weekend for him in front of his own crowd. Hopefully, he can get the best out of it."
The stakes are high for Perez at the last four Grand Prix of the Formula One season. The Mexican is still battling Lewis Hamilton for second place in the world championship. A spot that means a lot to Perez himself, but would reportedly also determine his future at Red Bull Racing.