Sergio Perez Insists Marko’s Criticism Is ‘Good’ For Him

Sergio Perez has said he has been benefiting from criticism from Red Bull senior advisor Dr Helmut Marko.

The Mexican, who joined Red Bull at the end of 2020 after a stellar campaign with Racing Point, said that he appreciates Dr Marko’s straightforward approach as it helps him improve as a driver.

READ: Mercedes Still Have The Fastest Car But Verstappen ‘Makes The Difference’

Perez came into the team with high expectations, but like every other second Red Bull driver since Daniel Ricciardo, he has struggled to consistently get close to Max Verstappen.

He has, however, already won a race for the team, something Daniil Kvyat, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon all failed to achieve.

Asked by the Dutch edition of Motorsport.com if Dr Marko has been critiquing his performances, Perez replied: “When it is necessary.

“If I drive a bad race, he just tells me. He will always tell you exactly what he thinks. I think that is good for someone with my experience, with the career in Formula 1 that I have had. It’s good for someone to say straight out what he thinks.

“They obviously have all the information and all the data weekend after weekend. They know exactly what the driver’s lap time is. Nobody is holding back at Red Bull,” he added.

Perez went on to describe Red Bull as being “quite transparent with me and with the media” and said this is a “good thing.”

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Continuing, he said: “But the most important thing is that I am happy and go home satisfied every weekend.

“That is the most important thing for me. I am a very hungry driver and I need to be able to look at myself in the mirror.”

As for how he is getting on with Verstappen at Red Bull, Perez said they have a “good relationship on and off the track.

READ: Russell: I’m Ready To Join Mercedes & Fight For Championships

“We share our opinions regularly. I tell him what I am up against [in the car].

“He probably thinks something different because we drive differently. In that respect it is difficult, but we push the team forward together and that is good,” he concluded.

Red Bull are currently 12 points adrift of Constructors’ Championship leaders Mercedes, while Perez is fifth in the Drivers’ Standings on 104 points.

Verstappen, meanwhile, sits P2 on 187 points and trails fellow Championship protagonist Sir Lewis Hamilton by eight points.

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