Verstappen emerged victorious in a remarkable 19 out of 22 races last season en route to securing his third consecutive F1 championship. Meanwhile, Perez enjoyed a strong start with two wins in the first four races before experiencing a sudden decline. Despite finishing second overall, the 34-year-old struggled to reach the podium as Verstappen achieved an unprecedented streak of 10 consecutive wins.
In contrast to former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine’s comparison of driving alongside Michael Schumacher to being struck with a cricket bat every two weeks, Perez described his situation as less painful. During the launch of the team’s Red Bull RB20, 2024 F1 car for the upcoming season, which will be the longest in history, Perez expressed his awareness of the challenge he faces. He acknowledged that Verstappen pushes him to his limits as a driver, and he eagerly anticipates the opportunity to rise to the occasion. With this being his fourth season with the team, Perez believes it will be his best yet.
Perez’s contract expires at the end of the season, and there are several potential candidates to replace him, including Daniel Ricciardo at sister team Visa Cash App RB. However, Perez remains determined and optimistic about his future. He emphasized that his main focus and motivation for this year is to perform well on the track, knowing that strong performances will open up numerous opportunities. The Mexican driver still believes he is at the peak of his abilities and has much more to offer. Being a part of the Red Bull family for four years has been a significant advantage and a tremendous opportunity. Despite being 34 years old, Perez remains young and driven, with a long road ahead of him. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin)
According to the Source grandprix247.com