Seven days can change a scenario. A week ago Sergio Perez had left Barcelona with a good deal of frustration, a disappointment that the Mexican had not been able to hide after the checkered flag of Montmelo.
Twice the pit wall had asked him to give way to Max Verstappen, and Checo felt deprived of the possibility of being able to win the Spanish Grand Prix. Only seven days later Perez seems to be in a different world, enhanced by the success achieved in the Principality and by a future that seems to offer much more certainty. “This is Formula 1 – he commented after the success in Monaco – you go from one extreme to the other in an instant”.
In the space of a few days Perez has achieved what is now the most prestigious victory of his career, has risen to the top of the championship standings (-15 from Verstappen and -6 from Leclerc), and has defined his future.
Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
After the race, Max was asked if Perez’s comeback in the championship standings could lead to changes in the relationship between him and his teammate, and after the question Sergio intervened. “We’re still in love, aren’t we Max?” “Absolutely yes – the Dutchman replied – why should we change? And what you did today I think will help (for the renewal) ”.
Christian Horner after the race in the Principality spoke of a check-list now completed: “Checo has ‘checked’ many of the rumors we had pending – confirmed the Red Bull team principal – we see no reason to look outside the tandem. of pilots we have, but we will inform you about the 2023 plans at the appropriate time. When there is something to say about Checo, we will say it ”. It is not a confirmation, but it is very similar to us, a contract extension that Perez deserved on the pitch in this first phase of the championship. The signature, if it hasn’t already been put in black and white, will arrive soon.
The sip year after seven races Perez was already 47 points behind Verstappen, this year the margin is less than a third. There was talk of a mature Checo, but in reality the change of pace is due to the feeling that the Mexican immediately found with the RB18.
Race winner Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
The regulatory change forced the drivers to a sort of reset, everyone had to start the process of harmony with a new generation of single-seaters from scratch, while twelve months ago Verstappen was already totally at ease with a car deriving from the 2020 one, which it had been developed following his directions. In addition there is the natural process of acclimatization to a very particular reality like that of Red Bull after having spent seven seasons at Racing Point, a step that took some time.
The Perez version 2022 offers more guarantees to the team, which this season aims to conquer the constructors’ title which it escaped last year. Twelve months ago it was precisely the difference in points between Bottas and Perez that allowed Mercedes to make him the world championship, but the start of this season is confirming a Checo much closer to the performance of his teammate. A perfect scenario, at least for now, in which the contract renewal (as happened in the case of Sainz like Ferrari) is the most logical and useful choice for the team’s interests.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB18
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
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