P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Sergio Perez struggled to match Max Verstappen in 2023, with boss Christian Horner not sure any driver could match the Dutchman.
Christian Horner believes that Sergio Perez has the toughest job in Formula 1 as he tries to keep up with Max Verstappen at Red Bull. In 2023, despite a strong start to the year, Perez struggled while Verstappen went on to win 17 of the final 18 races, earning 19 victories overall and a record-breaking 575 championship points. Perez finished second for the first time in his career, but his future at Red Bull was questioned due to a series of poor performances. Horner acknowledges the mental toughness required to match Verstappen, who operates at a consistently high level and constantly impresses with his performance. Perez’s contract expires in 2024, and Horner believes it would be challenging for any driver to keep up with Verstappen’s level of performance. A key moment this year that impacted Perez’s mental state was when he had the opportunity to win in Miami but was ultimately surpassed by Verstappen. Additionally, Perez’s crash in qualifying at Monaco further added to the challenging circumstances he faced.
