There are many top F1 pundits giving their two cents on the current status of Formula One, be it with the rule makers, the rule breakers, or the movers and shakers. We don’t know of any top F1 pundits who want to be interviewed here on DCB F1. And what do I know about racing and competing in F1, yes me, that me, a hitherto armchair pundit? Since we don’t know of any top F1 pundits seeking to leave a comment on this platform, I will provide the punditry myself, yes me, that me. Anyway, Sergio Perez, if he is to challenge Max Verstappen for this year’s drivers title, he needs to show consistency at every race weekend.
Consistency is Verstappen’s biggest weapon because at every race he turns up and delivers, that’s how he won a record 15 races last year. It helps that he had the most superior car on the grid. But Verstappen still has to find the motivation, concentration, and consistency to put in the race winning performances. Perez has the speed and the mentality to win, but he has one too many off-weekends to beat Verstappen overall.
Some will point out that Red Bull is built around Verstappen, it’s impossible to say how true that is, however, we do know Red Bull allows its drivers to compete for honors on track, but they do set limits. This year Perez seems to be showing equal speed both in qualifying and the race. At the Australia Grand Prix, he had one of those off weekends in qualifying, blaming a car issue whereas Red Bull’s Mad Dog Marko suggested it was more of a Perez issue.
The difference between a really good driver like Perez and a top-flight, top gun driver like Verstappen, is that the Verstappens, the Hamiltons, the Alonsos will drive around a car issue and still find a way to stay in contention by raising their game to another level. Does Perez have those built-in instincts to raise his game during a moment of crisis that comes so naturally to Verstappen?
Difficult to say, Perez will win more races this year, but Verstappen’s consistency and quality to deliver at every race weekend will make the difference.
