Sergio Perez believes racing for Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen is the “toughest job in Formula 1”, due to how the Dutchman performs at 110% every weekend.
2023 has been a largely disappointing campaign Perez, which has resulted in his future with the team being questioned.
Many believe that he should be replaced for 2024 despite the fact he has a contract with the Austrians, due to his inconsistent performances.
Perez started the year well and claimed two wins from the opening four races; however, a run of four events without a Q3 appearance mid-season saw the 33-year-old buckle under the pressure.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
There is no doubting that he hasn’t gotten the most out of the best car on the grid, proven by the fact that he’s under threat from Lewis Hamilton in second in the Drivers’ Championship.
The Mexican driver just isn’t capable of consistently keeping up with Verstappen, something he’s failed to do since winning in Azerbaijan.
Even having Verstappen’s data hasn’t helped, convincing ex-F1 driver Christijan Albers that Red Bull will soon be left with no choice but to sack Checo.
“Even though he can look at Max’s data, he is unable to improve and close the gap,” Albers told De Telegraaf newspaper.
“The gap is in fact only increasing. At some point they’ll see ‘It’s impossible to keep justifying this’. The story will have to end somewhere.
“If you see how destructive (Christian) Horner and (Helmut) Marko were towards (Nyck) de Vries, it actually amazes me that they continue to keep Perez,” Albers added.
Perez has been the first to recognise that things didn’t go his way mid-season and that his streak of non-Q3 appearances did affect him.
However, he has tried to explain just how difficult it is to be alongside Verstappen, who is able to drive at the highest level “always and everywhere”.
Perez notes that it “takes time” to settle into being alongside a driver like Verstappen, with it being the “toughest job” in the sport.
“He manages to get more out of the car and also does it every weekend. That’s certainly something I admire about him,” Perez told De Limburger newspaper.
“Max performs at the top of his abilities always and everywhere. I think that’s the most special thing about him.
READ: ‘Waiting with a lot of money’: Logan Sargeant warned of two massive threats
“He is also a hard worker who understands very well why he is successful. If something goes wrong, he immediately knows why,” Perez added.
“It takes time to get used to that, and the past has proven that it is not an easy task to be Max Verstappen’s teammate. There are few drivers who can handle that pressure.
“I sometimes call it the toughest job in Formula 1,” he said.