F1 News: Former Driver Outlines How Red Bull Can Best Utilise Sergio Perez

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert discusses Sergio Perez's upcoming 2024 season with Red Bull.
F1 News: Former Driver Outlines How Red Bull Can Best Utilise Sergio Perez
F1 News: Former Driver Outlines How Red Bull Can Best Utilise Sergio Perez /

In a recent discussion, former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert delved into what Sergio Perez needs to do to match his teammate and three-time champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull. Herbert highlighted the challenges Perez faces and the importance of team support in achieving his best performance.

Key Takeaways:

  • Johnny Herbert emphasises the need for Sergio Perez to adapt and improve his performance to consistently match the level of his teammate, Max Verstappen.
  • Herbert points out the occasional glimpses of Perez's potential to match Verstappen, but also notes the rarity of these instances and the difficulty in making them more frequent.
  • The significance of team support for Perez is underscored, with Herbert stressing the importance of early and consistent encouragement from the team, particularly with the new updated car.
Sergio Perez Red Bull (41)
Red Bull Content Pool

Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert recently shared his thoughts on Sergio Perez's position at Red Bull Racing alongside teammate and three-time champion Max Verstappen. Herbert, known for his insightful analysis, shed light on the challenges Perez faces in the upcoming Formula 1 season. He commented:

"He [Sergio Perez] has said he has got to change his ways to get the best performance he can out of himself constantly. But he is up against Max [Verstappen]. Sergio can do all the preparation he can but once he is in the car, he is up against Max doing what he always does.

"He blows his doors off just when you think you’re getting better. Can he do it? He showed signs of being as good as Max but they are so rare. If it is not there how do you make it happen suddenly, especially up against Max?

"It's not just Max, though it is the whole team. It was only in the latter part of the season where we saw an arm around Sergio’s shoulder. In the middle of last year there wasn’t at all. That has got to be there from the outset from the very first test with the new updated car. Then you will get the best out of your driver."

Max Verstappen - Sergio Perez - Red Bull

Sergio Perez, who joined Red Bull Racing in 2021, has had a noteworthy career in Formula One. He made his debut in the sport in 2011 with Sauber and has since competed for teams like McLaren, Force India, which later turned into Racing Point. Perez has been known for his consistency and ability to maximise the potential of his car, traits that earned him a seat at Red Bull Racing. Despite this, matching the pace and success of Verstappen has been a challenge.

Thank you to LuckyBlock.com for setting up this interview.


Published
Lydia Mee
LYDIA MEE

Lydia is the lead editor of F1 editorial. After following the sport for several years, she was finally able to attend the British Grand Prix in person in 2017. Since then, she's been addicted to not only the racing, but the atmosphere the fans bring to each event. She's a strong advocate for women in motorsport and a more diverse industry.