Despite a punctured tire and an extra pitstop, Max Verstappen managed to stay ahead of his Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez in Austria on Sunday. Pérez also had an eventful race. “Given the circumstances, I think we got the maximum out of it,” he commented.
Pérez was classified seventh, two places behind Max Verstappen. His last podium was back in mid-April at the GP of China (third). Since then, the driver who recently extended his contract with Red Bull has been in a chronic slump. In the World Championship standings, he is now fifth and feels the pressure from Oscar Piastri, George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton.
Pérez suffered damage to his car early in the race, after a touch with McLaren driver Oscar Piastri. “From that moment on, it went downhill. It’s a shame because we had a good start,” said Perez. He also made a mistake in the pitlane. Pérez: “It was just a terrible race. We quickly lost all speed. I couldn’t fight with others.”
Coronel: ‘The Difference is Simply Too Big’
Pérez also showed some self-reflection: “There are a number of things we need to look at. Especially the qualification. I need too much time to find the right balance. As a result, we needed too many tires in Austria. In the end, I think we got the maximum out of it given the circumstances.”
Tom Coronel was harsher in his judgment as a Viaplay analyst on Sunday evening. He stated that the Mexican, as the second driver, is not delivering, especially when it matters. If Verstappen drops out, Pérez should be there, he believes. “That’s what you have Pérez in the team for. He should have been third, fourth, or at least fifth, but he should have actually made the podium. Sorry to say it, but the difference between Pérez and Max is simply too big.”
