Following another blockbuster run at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP, Sergio Perez has once again proved his worth to Red Bull as he crossed the checkered flag with another P2 finish. This is likely to give the Austrian team a good headache when dealing with his contract situation later this year.
However, regarding the team’s ex-drivers, Sergio Perez has revealed a unique pressure at the Red Bull camp that makes the drivers not ‘survive’ for long.
Sergio Perez explains drivers’ unique pressure at Red Bull
In an episode of Formula 1’s ‘Beyond the Grid‘ podcast, Sergio Perez, who has previously driven for F1 teams like Sauber and McLaren, has revealed that the way Red Bull measures their driver’s standards is ‘different to anyone else’.
During the interview, Perez started on this matter by saying, “There’s always pressure in Formula 1, you have to remember that we are at the pinnacle of the sport.”
“There’s always pressure, you always have to deliver at all conditions, at all races, that’s normal.”
"There’s a reason why lots of drivers haven’t survived."
— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) March 16, 2024
Sergio Perez believes drivers at Red Bull are treated differently compared to every other team on the grid.
👇Read more#F1 #SergioPerez #RedBull https://t.co/SCMBPNp4d2
Bringing his current team into the mix, he added, “But at Red Bull, it certainly has changed a bit. I mean, there’s a reason why lots of drivers haven’t survived.”
“[Because] the amount of pressure, the amount of focus on yourself, they don’t measure the same, all the teams – I feel like how they measure at Red Bull is different to any anyone else”, he concluded, explaining the details.
These revelations by ‘Checo’ show his worries about his future at Red Bull, which has again come under question after Verstappen snubbed him in favor of Fernado Alonso.
Max Verstappen chose Fernando Alonso over Sergio Perez
In a recent interview with Spanish YouTuber The Grefg, who is a popular Twitch streamer, Max Verstappen, the reigning F1 Champion, revealed a great appreciation towards Fernando Alonso and his driving prowess over his partner Sergio Perez.
Speaking during the interview, which was organized by Red Bull, Vertappen was asked whether Fernando Alonso or Checo is the better driver in the same car. He replied to this, by quoting “It’s difficult. I think Fernando of course has shown being a world champion that he is very fast as well.”
“It’s difficult to choose but… what I like about Fernando is that he never gives up. I mean, he is 42 years old, and he’s still got it,” he concluded, adding this two-liner.
These strong ‘Alonso-admiring’ words from Verstappen, which subtly kept Checo in the shadows, come at a time when both Perez and Alonso are about to go out of contract after this season.
Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen will now take on the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on March 24 at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.
Can Perez keep his seat at Red Bull after this season? If not, should Fernando Alonso team up with Verstappen from 2025 on? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
