Perez impresses at Red Bull: 'Almost on Verstappen's level'

In 2021, Red Bull Racing, for the first time in years, choose a driver who is not part of their own training program as one of their drivers: Sergio Perez. Although the Mexican has yet to convince in every race, Helmut Marko is very happy with his new pupil.

Perez the ideal man?

After the departure of Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing has been searching for the perfect teammate for Max Verstappen. Pierre Gasly was deemed unable to handle the pressure after just six months, and after a year and a half Alex Albon was still not convincing. Perez has already won one race for Red Bull Racing, but that could simply be down to the team's car?

''The difference is that Perez is more consistent. The results he gets in qualifying, like second in Imola or third at the Red Bull Ring, Albon didn't get those kind of results. And in the race Perez is almost at the level of Verstappen when he has the free air'', says Marko in conversation with Motorsport-total.com.

Norris error

The fact that Perez ruined his chances of a sure podium in Austria with an ambitious overtake of Lando Norris, Marko does not see as a problem. ''I think it's logical. If you can't get in front, then you try on the outside. That's where Norris pushed him off the track, and he got a penalty for that as well.''

''That's what went wrong. Drivers have to give each other space. That was a mistake by Norris. He saw Perez there and should have given him space. Perez tried, but it failed. I prefer that to a boring driver who stays behind. He had to try,'' the Austrian concluded.