Sergio Perez is adamant in taking over this season as Mexico, who won a last race, are stepping into one of the hottest sets as Max Bulltappen ‘s Red Bull teammate.
The 31-year-old will be the fourth driver in as many years to try to live with a 23-year-old who has emerged as a real threat to Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion at Mercedes.
Unlike instant ancestors who fell short alongside Dutch driver Alexander Albon of Thailand and Pierre Gasly of France, Perez can count on more than a decade in grand prix racing.
“I am confident in my abilities,” Mexico, whose resume marks a difficult and frustrating year at McLaren, told reporters Thursday.
“It will take some time before I can get over everything but I don’t see why with time I can’t. “
Asked about his goals, he replied: “To overestimate the performance of the car. If we have a car good enough to win the tree, to make sure I win it. If a car of us who are good for second place, then make sure you win. “
Perez won an award for the first time, in his 190th start, with Racing Point (now Aston Martin) in Bahrain in December last year.
He had then looked as if he was leaving the sport, with champion Sebastian Vettel four times signed to replace him, but Red Bull threw a lifeline for him.
Now he’s hungry for more wins with a team hoping to get a proper battle with Mercedes after finishing second in 2020.
“You get a little more of it. One win is just like the first one and you’re waiting to get the second one,” he said.
“It will give you a lot of confidence too – you’ve been there and experienced that and you know you can do it again.”
Perez, fourth last year, expected Verstappen to be “a great criterion” in deservingness but said he was fully motivated and working out on fitness.
“When things aren’t going well, the pressure hits you hard. And when you have experience, when you’ve been through it before, it just makes you focus on the right stuff. , “he said.
“I just think the opportunity is coming at a good time of my career and it’s going to work out well.”
The season starts in Bahrain on March 28th.