Sergio Perez was dominated by Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen throughout the 2023 campaign.
Sergio Perez has acknowledged that his performance declined throughout the 2023 season, while his teammate Max Verstappen excelled and asserted his dominance at Red Bull. As the new season approaches and with one year remaining on his contract, the Mexican driver has made it his top priority to make progress.
At the start of the year in Bahrain, the 33-year-old driver had a strong start, following up his second-place finish at the season opener with two wins in the next three races. However, his second victory in Baku would be his last triumph of the season.
On the other hand, Verstappen showcased his dominance and formed a strong connection with the RB19. The Dutchman achieved a remarkable feat by winning ten consecutive Grands Prix between Miami and Monza. He then bounced back from a disappointing weekend in Singapore by securing seven more consecutive victories to conclude the year.
The outcome of his incomprehensible dominance resulted in a comfortable third consecutive World Championship. Verstappen finished the season with 574 points to his credit – more than twice the total of Perez, who appeared to be a genuine title contender in the first four rounds of the year.
In an interview with AutoHebdo regarding his fortunes in 2023, Perez expressed, “I aim to achieve consistency and build momentum. I believe what we lacked this year was progress. We began the year on a high note, tied with Max, but we were unable to advance throughout the season. In fact, there were times when we even regressed.
“So, my main priority will be to make progress throughout the season, regardless of my starting point. It is crucial that we continue to evolve and improve weekend after weekend.”
Perez has faced challenges with the car throughout the season, especially before and after the summer break. However, he is fully aware of the areas he needs to work on before the 2024 campaign. As a 33-year-old, he is determined to secure a new contract and ensure his future in F1.
“I had a few tough weekends,” he explained. “We had a strong start in the first few races, but then we struggled to make progress with the car. This is an aspect that I acknowledge and want to improve significantly.
“The issues we faced this year have given me a better understanding of how to adjust the settings, how to set up the car, and which direction to take when encountering problems. This newfound knowledge will undoubtedly make us stronger in the coming year.”
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