Sergio Perez of Mexico, a member of the Red Bull Racing team, has responded to criticism of his time with the Formula 1 team. He acknowledges that the pressure is exceptionally high, stating that many drivers have not been able to handle it. Red Bull has struggled to find the right teammate for Max Verstappen since Daniel Ricciardo left the team in 2018. Pierre Gasly was promoted prematurely and was replaced by Alex Albon after 12 races. Despite the challenges, Perez has remained with the team for four seasons and has been praised for his resilience. He believes that the expectations of a Red Bull driver are particularly demanding, and not all drivers can cope with the pressure.
Perez had a challenging season last year, facing difficulties in securing podium finishes while Verstappen achieved a record-breaking streak of victories. This led to widespread speculation on social media about Perez’s future in the sport, with rumors persisting into the current season. However, Perez, who has been competing in Formula 1 for 14 years, emphasizes that his extensive experience has taught him to disregard external distractions and focus solely on his performance on the track. He acknowledges the potential toxicity of social media and actively avoids engaging with it. Instead, his priority is to dedicate himself fully to his job, giving his utmost effort and preparing diligently. He recognizes that despite his best efforts, external criticism will always exist, but he remains determined to block out the noise and concentrate on his work. As his contract expires in 2024, Perez has made a strong start to the season, achieving back-to-back second-place finishes behind his dominant teammate.