Sergio Perez knows all the pressure from Red Bull Racing is on his shoulders, while Max Verstappen is still on the hunt for the RB18. Having climbed to the podium in Australia, the Mexican is hoping to take the top three in the championship once again at Imola.
After a mixed year 2021, with the former Racing Point driver not always able to be of value to his teammate, the current Formula 1 season is already much better for the 32-year-old. For example, Perez, like Verstappen, retired in Bahrain due to technical problems, but in Jeddah he crossed the finish line fourth and took center stage on Saturday. In Melbourne, the Red Bull driver crossed the line for second. This gives him provisional fourth place in the drivers’ standings.
“You should be on stage every week”
“I’m pleased with my performance so far, and being on the podium in Melbourne for the first time this season has been a step in the right direction,” said Perez. He hopes to become more consistent: “But I’m not going to stop there, I have to be there every week for the team and for myself.” It is not only important for the team that the Mexican is present, for him there is still coffee to see if he is still in Red Bull next year. Pierre Gasly has been knocking on the door for a while and Perez knows the pressure is on.
‘Tough days in Australia’
The 32-year-old wants to leave Verstappen’s retirement behind over the weekend at Imola. “I’m looking forward to getting back in the car this weekend. It’s been a tough few days in Australia for the team, but for me it was another consistent weekend, after my poles and fourth place in Jeddah,” he explains. So. Outside.
