Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan reckons Max Verstappen’s 2023 rivals got off lightly, believing a lack of competition from team-mate Sergio Perez meant he did not need to hit 100 per cent.
In 2023, Verstappen showcased an unprecedented level of dominance, setting a new record. Red Bull’s exceptional performance throughout the season resulted in an astounding 21 victories out of 22 grands prix.
Out of those triumphs, Verstappen claimed an impressive 19 wins, surpassing his own previous F1 record. Additionally, his remarkable streak of 10 consecutive victories established a new benchmark in the sport.
Max Verstappen avoided higher gears due to Sergio Perez
Rivals often found themselves in the position of watching Verstappen disappear into the distance, much to the frustration of Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion who was unable to challenge for his eighth title. However, Jordan believes that Hamilton and his fellow competitors got off lightly.
Drawing from his own experience, Jordan argues that having a strong teammate is beneficial. He uses this perspective to highlight the lack of threat posed by Perez to Verstappen. According to Jordan, this lack of competition meant that Verstappen did not need to showcase his full potential, despite his dominant performances.
During a discussion on the Formula For Success podcast with David Coulthard, a 13-time grand prix winner, Jordan expressed his views. He stated, “I believe having a strong teammate is crucial.
And I would like to add that if Checo had been faster, we would have witnessed an even faster Max. That’s the thing, because I don’t think he pushed himself to the limit.”
In regards to Lewis’s mention of being 17 seconds down the road, it is worth noting that this refers to a significant time gap without any external assistance.
Now, let’s provide the appropriate context for this statement. When you are leading the race, it is crucial to be mindful of your tire management, as winning the race often means achieving the slowest possible time, as you, Coulthard, have always emphasized.
Perez had a promising start to the season, securing two victories in the first four rounds. However, his performance quickly deteriorated, leading to speculations that Red Bull might not allow him to complete his contract in F1 2024.
Despite these rumors, Perez has managed to retain his seat. Nevertheless, a strong start is essential for him to regain Red Bull’s confidence. It is worth mentioning that Jordan disagrees with the notion that Red Bull would consider replacing Perez mid-season if he fails to deliver strong performances.
Jordan commented on Checo’s strong start to the 2023 season, highlighting his early wins.
He mentioned that Checo may have been on a mental high and feeling confident, but when Max stepped up his game, Checo realized the challenge. However, Jordan acknowledged that Checo never really lost his mojo throughout the season and praised Max as a tough teammate.
Despite rumors of Checo being replaced, Jordan personally doesn’t believe it will happen, considering Checo’s contract and the integrity of the people at Red Bull.
Daniel Ricciardo is closely observing Perez and Red Bull, possibly with an eye on 2025.
Leave a Reply