Max Verstappen's Formula 1 dominance unsettles Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez
- Rob Fleming
- 8 September 2023
Red Bull's 2023 Formula 1 campaign has been nothing short of sensational, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez leading the charge.
However, Perez recently shared his thoughts on Verstappen's unrivalled dominance within the team.
In the early part of the season, Perez ignited hopes of a title challenge as he clinched two victories in the first four races. Many speculated that he might contend with Verstappen for the coveted Drivers' Championship.
Yet, since that promising start, Verstappen has reigned supreme, securing a remarkable ten consecutive Grand Prix victories, including a historic win at the Italian Grand Prix.
For Perez, the mid-season was less kind, with a series of underwhelming performances, yielding only one podium finish in five races. He openly admitted that witnessing Verstappen's relentless success in identical machinery was a bitter pill to swallow.
"I think we have to appreciate what Max is doing," Perez acknowledged, speaking to the media. "At the level that he is driving at the moment, it's extreme."
Perez marvelled at Verstappen's consistency and ability to extract maximum performance, regardless of conditions. "It doesn’t really matter what's happened, whether we have a good margin or bad margins or the car is becoming difficult," Perez remarked.
"He's been able to extract 100 per cent out of himself and the car pretty much every weekend."
As the Formula 1 season progresses, the next challenge awaits at the Singapore Grand Prix, known for its physically demanding Marina Bay Circuit.
With 14 wins between them, Verstappen and Perez are poised to maintain their dominance, but the allure of a title battle still lingers.
