How does Verstappen view the Perez situation? The Dutchman responds
F1 News
Max Verstappen has stood up for his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, who has been struggling to find form and score good points for the team. The Dutchman explained that even he has found it difficult to get on the podium regularly with the RB20.
Red Bull Racing stormed out of the blocks in the 2024 Formula 1 season and looked set to continue where they left off in 2023. Red Bull secured three one-two finishes in the opening four races, but Perez hasn't been on the podium since race five in China. The Mexican earned himself a contract extension, but he has struggled to attain good results since then.
Perez is now last out of the drivers from the top four teams and seems set to stay there with a 27-point gap to 7th-placed George Russell. Last time out in Mexico, Perez experienced his worst weekend yet. He failed to escape Q1, made a blunder at the start, which earned him a five-second time penalty, and then finished last, albeit after sustaining damage and pitting for the fastest lap attempt at the end.
What does Verstappen think about Perez's performance?
This has ultimately meant Red Bull has dropped to third place in the Constructors' Championship as both drivers from McLaren and Ferrari often score lots of points. In the last week, GPblog has reported that it is uncertain whether the Red Bull Racing driver will continue to be Max Verstappen's teammate after the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix. Verstappen himself though, seems to defend Perez and wants Red Bull to improve the car to help himself and the Mexican.
"Since China, for us [Red Bull] it's been quite difficult anyway. Other teams have definitely caught up; they have had quite good performance upgrades. And even for me, it's been hard to be on the podium consistently. So I think as long as we improve our car then it will also help Checo naturally, so that's what we're trying to work on," Verstappen said.
Verstappen and Perez will return to the track this weekend in Brazil. Verstappen will be keen to finish ahead of Lando Norris to keep his healthy lead, while Perez desperately needs to show his talents.