The most wanted man until a few days ago, in the home grand prix, and the star of one of the most emotional podiums in recent times. Sergio Pérez (Guadalajara, 31 years old) took a mass bath in Mexico and is now arriving in Brazil with the aim of securing the drivers and constructors titles for Red Bull. He has a great car, but the opportunity is poisoned, as he himself admits: few drivers on this grid, perhaps none, can meet Verstappen on equal terms and come out well. With two wins and 15 ‘drawers’ in his career, the Mexican talks with AS in Interlagos and takes stock of the season. He is fourth in the standings, he won in Baku and was on the podium five times.
—What images with his son and father on the podium in Mexico …
“Yes, it was a spectacular moment, very special.” I will stay with him forever. Seeing my son right next to the podium is a photograph for which it has all been worth it.
“How many extra tenths were you when you passed under the Foro Sol and the stands roared?”
“A lot of energy.” Too much support!
– Did you feel the pressure to do a good result at home?
-Yes, definitely. The least they expected from me was that I would be on the podium, and it would have been a disappointment not to give a podium to all the people, the whole country. I’m glad it went well. I would have liked to give the team the double, but it was impossible to pass Hamilton.
“The Red Bull is nothing like what I knew”
Sergio perez
“How do you rate your season?”
“It’s been a season of ups and downs.” The adaptation was difficult for me, although we have seen the same with other riders from other teams. It is not easy, but no one else has a Verstappen next to it, which is so attached to the car and takes 120% of the car out of each lap. So it was not easy, but I feel that I have evolved, I have grown a lot especially in the second part of the season. It will be important to see how I finish these last four races.
“The difference between you and Max, in points or tenths, is it real?”
—Now the difference is much smaller, we are operating at a very similar level.
“Why is it so difficult to extract more potential from this car?”
“It’s a very peculiar car, very different from everything I was used to.” It is not that easy. In every sense. How you brake, how you accelerate, how you operate with the tires. It is nothing like what I knew.
“It’s no secret that this team is focused on one pilot, Max.” What is it like to be the other pilot?
-Is not easy. I think I have one of the most complicated jobs in all of Formula 1. But I am happy because I am growing, I have experience and I am taking control of the situation. Max’s bar is very high, he is today the strongest rider on the grid and has been with the team for many years. At the same time, I have the best possible reference.
How do you see him in the fight against Hamilton?
“Incredible, very calm, relaxed.” He is very confident in himself.
“What can you do to help Red Bull win both titles?”
—Be perfect, get the best possible results. If I do, I will give the championship to the team. And also give many points to the team. I am confident that we can win.
“But you didn’t come to Red Bull to help Max …”
—I want to fight for the World Cup next year. I hope Red Bull has a car as competitive as this season so that it can be fighting for the championship.
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