formula 1
Challenger Perez: “Of course I want the title”
Celebrated two wins in Azerbaijan: The Mexican Sergio Perez from Team Red Bull. Photo
© Darko Bandic/AP/dpa
The title fight in Formula 1 is a team duel. Sergio Perez challenges world champion Max Verstappen. In Baku it became clear again: Nobody can attack the Red Bull drivers.
After two victories in four races, the focus is increasingly on winning the world championship for Formula 1 challenger Sergio Perez. “Of course I want to win the title – but Max wants that too,” said the Mexican after his triumphs at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
In Baku, the 33-year-old won both the Grand Prix and the Sprint. Perez put his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen under a lot of pressure and is only six points behind the defending champion from the Netherlands in the overall standings.
Red Bull dominates
“We’re going to fight each other as hard as we can but I think with a high level of respect,” said Perez. The Red Bull cars are way ahead of the competition, with plenty to suggest early in the 23-race season that the stable rivals will be fighting to win the championship. “Checo has been showing really strong performances so far, he feels good and self-confident in the car,” Verstappen praised his teammate: “We as a team enjoy it and have a good time. You have to recognize and appreciate what he’s doing. That’s exactly what happened today .”
While the 25-year-old Verstappen can win his third Formula 1 title in a row, veteran Perez is about the number one World Cup trophy. “We push each other very hard, the level is extremely high,” said Perez. The next duel is likely to come next Sunday, when Formula 1 will stop in Miami, Florida. Verstappen expects a long fight. “It’s about consistency because it’s still a very long season with a lot of different tracks,” said the champion.