Silverstone, UK – Max Verstappen, the current championship leader, has voiced his disappointment with Sergio Perez’s ongoing struggles in qualifying, following yet another early exit for the Mexican driver.
While Verstappen continued to shine with another pole position, Perez faced another setback as he failed to progress beyond Q2, marking the fifth consecutive race in which he has missed out on Q3. This hindered Red Bull’s chances of achieving a one-two finish in qualifying.
Verstappen ‘happy to fight alone’
Verstappen, speaking to Dutch media outlets, seemed critical of his teammate’s qualifying result at Silverstone. Expressing his puzzlement, he remarked, “I don’t know why it went wrong today, but with our car, you have to make it into Q3.”
When asked about Perez’s performance, Verstappen directed the question to Helmut Marko and Christian Horner, suggesting that the team management could shed more light on the matter. He went on to mention that, in his view, he was capable of carrying the team on his own at present.
“We are fighting for the team championship, but I think I can do that alone at the moment.” claims a bullish Verstappen.
Verstappen has been in exceptional form this season, amassing a total of 229 points, surpassing second-placed Mercedes’ tally of 178 points. As Red Bull aims to secure the team championship, the Dutchman’s dominant performances have been crucial.
READ MORE – Marko: Big update on Perez future
Ricciardo ready to replace Perez?
With Perez’s ongoing struggles, speculation has arisen about potential replacements in the future. One candidate that has garnered attention is Daniel Ricciardo, who has expressed his desire to rejoin Red Bull in a race seat, having been spotted on their pit wall during certain races this season.
Verstappen spoke positively about Ricciardo, stating that he has been doing a commendable job in the simulator.
“He’s doing a good job in the simulator, but you know, that’s not something I’m amazed about either.”
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‘Talent doesn’t fade”
Despite the Australian driver’s challenging years at McLaren, Verstappen believes that talent does not fade away and that Ricciardo’s wealth of experience adds to his value.
“He obviously had some difficult years at McLaren, but you don’t lose your talent. He also has a lot of experience. I think he’s just comfortable with us at the moment…”
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Verstappen also expressed his familiarity with Ricciardo, suggesting that they have a good rapport and can engage in meaningful conversations saying that: “I also know Daniel very well, so we can talk about a lot of things.”
As the championship battle intensifies, Red Bull will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Perez’s performance. While Verstappen’s strong form has propelled the team to the top, they will need both drivers to perform at their best to secure their desired outcome in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, especially as their rivals improve and the gap between Red Bull and their rivals.
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