Sergio Perez claimed his maiden victory around the streets of Monaco at the 2022 Formula One Grand Prix. Having lost the lead in Miami to team mate Max Verstappen the Mexican driver knew how important the Monaco race this year would be.
Checo is 14 points behind Verstappen and they are both gifted with a car that looks set to claim a host of season records for the Milton based team.
Big weekend for championship
As such Sergio realises this year above all others may be his one shot at claiming the F1 drivers’ championship.
Prior to the weekend Perez told assembled reporters, “It’s certainly important. I don’t want him to start building that gap on points.
“Obviously, every weekend it’s a new opportunity to reduce the distance.”
Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have stated recently that team orders for the championship will not be issued in the foreseeable future, something Perez realises could slip away quickly.
Perez claims “nightmare”
I’ve already won two races, so certainly I think it’s all open. We have full support from our team. And as long as I’m able to deliver the results on the track, weekend by weekend, I do expect to have full support from my team.”
Then for the second time this season Perez crashed out of qualifying session one and will start the Grand Prix last.
Sergio was distraught: ”It’s an unbelievable day. I cannot believe what I’ve done,” Perez said.
“It just caught me by surprise, just getting the rear out of shape, especially really late into the corner, it caught me out.
“I’m super disappointed with myself and I know that tomorrow is going to be impossible.
“We could have had a shot at pole today, but I didn’t drive to my level, that’s why I am standing here.
“It’s going to be a nightmare tomorrow. I do expect a very difficult race, whatever you do [with strategy] people just cover you. You’ll end up in the same position.”
Verstappen agrees with teammate
His team mate Max Verstappen agrees the Mexican will have a tough race one Sunday.
“It is so difficult with these cars to come forward here,” he said. “Maybe Checo can get to P13 or 14.”
Christian Horner is hoping Perez can do better and make a top ten finish and score points something Verstappen, Alonso and Michael Schumacher have all done from starting last in the principality.
Horner believes its “hard”
“It’s so hard here. Max started from that position a few years ago and just made it into the top 10,” Horner revealed.
“Scoring points will be the target for Checo. It’s likely to be a one-stop race, you’re caught in the crocodile and you can’t use your pace.
“This is such a different circuit, you can be two-and-a-half seconds off the pace here. We saw Daniel drive round with half an engine and win the race here. The delta you need to be able to overtake because the cars are so wide here now, there aren’t really that many passing places.”
Little sympathy for Perez
However there was little sympathy for Sergio in certain quarters and Red Bull’s Dr. Helmut Marko slammed the teams driver describing his crash as “stupid”.
“The king of the streets completely failed,” former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos claimed on Ziggo Sport.
“You can’t crash like that with a car like that,” Doorknobs emphasised.
“Look at the impact – he was 20kph too fast. He has the best car but he starts last. This was so stupid of Perez.”
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Marko calls Checo “stupid”
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko expressed similar thoughts when speaking to German Sky.
“With a car like that, you can’t be out in the first segment. A stupid mistake on his part.”
“Perhaps he was thinking of the fight for the title too much.”
Anthony Davidson for Sky F1 suggested that given the gap now could be as much as 40 points between Verstappen and Perez going into the next race, the team management may throw they’re weight behind the Dutchman’s push for the title.
Marko implies Checo “No. 2”
Helmut Marko implied to Sky Germany that the team may well be considering making Checo the team’s number two driver.
“We have our plans and we are watching very closely what is happening.
“We already have a rough outline but of course we will not say that here.”
Verstappen now “No.1”
La Gazetta is reporting that former F1 driver Jackie Ickx and a former clerk of the course in Monaco believes the decision will now be made.
“On the one hand, I don’t think Verstappen’s victories are killing the intrigue, because Sergio Perez has already won two races,” said Ickx.
“But Max really is one of those racers who has special championship qualities – like Senna, Fangio, Schumacher before him.”
Perez surely needs to score in Monaco otherwise when close team calls come in the upcoming races the strategy will be weighted towards Verstappen who will be favourite for the championship.
READ MORE: Perez crash reveals Red Bull “secret”
Total commitment, immense skill and mind-blowing bravery 🤯
What a final sector from @Max33Verstappen to topple Alonso! #MonacoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/IopkplombB
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 27, 2023
Same