Sergio Perez has played down Red Bull’s public complaints about his performances this season, with scrutiny from the team’s most sensible managers.
Red Bull’s motorsport adviser Helmut Marko has been in the spotlight for questionable comments opposing his driver in reference to his nationality, for which he later apologised, and disagreed with team principal Christian Horner about the prestige of his 2024 seat with the team. Horner has continuously relied on the Mexican to fulfill his contract with Red Bull next season.
This, combined with the desire to stick with Max Verstappen race after race, after a strong start to the season and a subsequent dip in form, Channel Four presenter Steve Jones explained to him that “sometimes it feels like even your own team is opposed”. to you” – but Perez doesn’t think that’s the case.
While Perez has largely recovered from his mid-season form slump that saw Verstappen take an almost unassailable lead in the Drivers’ Championship, the specter of Daniel Ricciardo lurking in the background has put pressure on the Mexican for some time. if he kept his place at Red Bull next year. although he remains second in the drivers’ standings.
But despite Marko’s multiple public comments about Perez and his “need for performance” to retain his seat in the team, Perez maintains that he has his full help in the scenes, when he was presented with his belief in his current scenario through Channel 4. .
“I think the stress you have to endure is extraordinary,” Jones told Perez in an interview ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.
“It seems to me that we are between a rock and a hard place. Recently, Helmut Marko made a small misstep in the press, you could say that he would be a smart example.
“Sometimes it seems like even your own team is opposed to you. Do you understand what I’m saying?
However, Perez downplayed those concerns and insisted the team supports him despite what things may look like from afar.
“I mean, from the outside, it can look like this, not everyone is on your side and you can feel like things are harder than they deserve to be,” Perez replied.
“But to be honest, I’m complete in the team and everyone needs me to succeed. “
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The 33-year-old faces a record at Verstappen, whose 15 wins last year are an all-time record for a single season, and his 10-match winning streak is another all-time milestone. Only damaged by Red Bull’s delay in Singapore. .
When asked about the tension of the Dutchman’s presence on the other side of the garage, he is in a position to give him credit.
“It’s hard, you know, this guy is like a machine,” Perez said.
“He drives at a very high point and we have to respect that. Being Max’s teammate pushes you to the maximum, that’s why I’m here and that’s why I need to continue, because I’m pushed to the maximum. “
“I can’t do this task at 90% of the gas, or I faint completely or go home. “
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