Two former F1 drivers doubt Perez title chances
May 31 - Two former F1 drivers doubt Sergio Perez can mount a challenge for the 2022 drivers' world championship.
After the Mexican won in Monaco, many hailed it as the start of a true three-way battle for the drivers' title - as Perez is only 6 points behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
Championship leader Max Verstappen's father Jos, however, chided Red Bull for not doing more to get the Dutch 24-year-old past Perez.
"Red Bull achieved a good result, but at the same time exerted little influence to help Max to the front," he said.
"The chosen strategy turned completely to Checo's favour. That was disappointing to me, and I would have liked it to be different for the championship leader," he added.
Verstappen snr admitted that part of the problem is that the 2022 car simply suits Perez better.
"It starts with the car," Jos said, "which simply doesn't have the characteristics for his (Max's) driving style yet."
Christian Horner said after Monaco that he has no preference as to whether Verstappen or Perez wins the drivers' title this season.
Former F1 driver Christijan Albers, however, says it is "very clear" that bringing Verstappen into the pits before Perez on Sunday was to favour the Dutchman.
"Because Perez is still the second driver," the Dutchman told De Telegraaf. "They are still focusing on Verstappen.
"So it became a question of 'with which driver are you going to make the other team think? With which driver are you going to take the risk?' Then they chose Perez."
Therefore, Albers vowed to "eat my shoe" if Perez wins the title.
Another former F1 driver, Ralf Schumacher, agrees.
"I don't think Sergio will end up having the consistency that Max Verstappen has. But in Monaco he was the better driver all weekend," he told Sky Deutschland.
"Max has a very aggressive driving style, which means that with this car concept it suits Sergio more. Max can take this moment to learn from his teammate."
What is clear is that Perez's Monaco win ended any doubt that Red Bull may be looking to replace the 32-year-old for 2023.
"We have a good driver combination," Dr Helmut Marko declares. "He now has two wins in 18 months with us, having previously had one win in ten years. We are satisfied."
As for Jos' complaint about the Red Bull strategy, Marko insists the team "didn't want to risk anything because it's too dangerous at Monaco".
"The goal was to increase the lead over Leclerc and we succeeded," said the Austrian.
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I have the same doubts.
On pure pace, no, but he could have an outside shot by staying within touching distance in the points until the end.
Difficult to gauge his pace when RB still prefer MV. Be interesting if the next race was heading for a CL, SP with MV in 3rd finish, would they get SP to move over again? Mark Webber would say it's the RB method.
Jos: "Red Bull achieved a good result, but at the same time exerted little influence to help Max to the front," he said.
Yeah, Jos, let's just put your kid's name on the WDC trophy and go on holiday. Max is fast, very fast, he'll sort it out. Let them race.
It seems Checco needs a new strategy. Not only does he need to finish in front of Max, but he needs to make sure there is a car between him and Max behind him. It hard not to notice if there had been no team orders in Spain that he would be ahead of not just Max but also Le Clerc in the driver's championship.
No, he's not going to win the championship. But it was a delightful win for his fans!
A bit cynical, but spot on. Faster the past two races. Sometimes nice guys do finish first. BUT, he ain't winning the WDC, not as long as Max and his dad are there.
Not to mention Maxes mega new contract and Joss threatening to knock horny out if his boy doesn't win
Ya' know, Max no longer needs Jos's advice, consent or defense. In fact, his being around harms the kid's image. He is simply protecting his cut of Max's income. Not Jos, but VER the younger is now VER the boss. Jos and the doc should go on a sabbatical together...someplace remote.
You are spot on ~ Jos is only interested in his free income from Max, where Max does all the hard yards and Jos pockets the money!
I agree that Jos and the doc of propaganda should go on a sabbatical to Siberia, and never return!
This is the first time all morning I have been accused of being a cynic.
meant it in a good, smiling way
Aagghh, sorry but I am really pi""ed off with Hamilton, rewatched Monaco fi on Sunday and had a good look at Hamiltons attemptssss to pass Ocon,, I noticed it was mostly if not all his attempts were made as they were approaching a bend, he was all over the back of ocon up the right hand side and then the left so close its a wonder he didn't take the both of them out then when he went up the offside of ocon he had to back off and whilst he backed out of it he did his party piece and stuck his front wheel in but I think ococ was expecting it as he pulled opposite lock to counter the rear end from sliding this needs to be looked at by fia, ocon got penalised for Hamiltons game playing and it's time it was stopped. Gasly made several over takes, clean over takes and he is not a seven times WDC. Well and truly pi""Ted off.
Unless Max has a lobotomy there is zero chance of Perez being allowed to win
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