Sergio Perez finds himself in a Formula 1 drought, having not tasted victory in over a year. Meanwhile, his teammate Max Verstappen has been on a winning spree, racking up an impressive 21 triumphs during that period. Perez’s last taste of victory came in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix followed by a memorable win in Azerbaijan, where he outpaced Verstappen to claim victory on the streets of Baku, earning himself the title of the ‘King of Baku’ from his race engineer, Hugh Bird.
However, since that glorious day in Baku, Perez has found himself on the wrong end of a lopsided intra-team battle with Verstappen. Over the past year, Verstappen’s car has crossed the finish line in first place a staggering 21 times, setting a new record for the most wins in a 365-day period in Formula 1 history. Not only has Verstappen been dominant in terms of victories, but he’s also been remarkably consistent, with only one retirement due to overheating brakes in the Australian Grand Prix.
In contrast, Perez has struggled to match Verstappen’s pace and consistency. Despite his team mate’s success, Perez has endured a challenging run of form, with only one pole position and ten podium finishes compared to Verstappen’s 16 poles and 21 podiums. His average starting position is nearly six places lower than Verstappen’s, highlighting the disparity between the two drivers.
Perez’s struggles were particularly evident in the aftermath of his victory in Baku. Following a pole position in Miami, Perez failed to capitalize on his advantage, as Verstappen stormed through the field to snatch victory from his grasp. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, such as podium finishes in Monaco, Hungary, and Belgium, Perez’s season was marred by inconsistency and frustration.
However, a turning point came after a disappointing performance in the Qatar Grand Prix, where Perez crashed out of the sprint race and struggled to a tenth-place finish in the main event. Determined to turn things around, Perez embarked on an extensive review of his performance and data at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes factory. This introspective approach paid dividends, as Perez finished the season on a more consistent note, with several top-five finishes and a podium in Las Vegas.
Heading into the 2024 season, Perez faced the challenge of securing his future with Red Bull. With his contract set to expire at the end of the year, Perez knew he had to deliver strong performances to convince the team of his worth. While he has yet to secure a victory in 2024, Perez has shown improvement, with his highest average qualifying and race finish positions over any five-race stretch in the past year. His consistent performances have helped Red Bull build a significant lead in the constructors’ championship, further solidifying his value to the team.
Despite his improvement, Red Bull remains undecided on their driver lineup for the future. While Verstappen’s long-term contract is secure, Perez’s future hangs in the balance. However, team principal Christian Horner has expressed satisfaction with Perez’s performance, indicating that his efforts have not gone unnoticed.
In conclusion, while Perez may not be challenging Verstappen for the championship title, his improvement and contributions to the team’s success could secure his place at Red Bull beyond the current season.”
