Sergio Perez has revealed a personal strategy to combat the mounting pressure he faces in his role at Red Bull Racing.
Perez, who has a contract with the team for 2024, acknowledges the scrutiny he’s been under lately, with some insiders questioning his performance as a Red Bull driver.
Reflecting on the challenges of the 2023 season, Perez shared insights with De Limburger newspaper, saying, “When the season started, the car suited me perfectly.”
However, he noted that the nature of Formula 1 racing means that cars evolve throughout the season, which can present difficulties for drivers.
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He continued, “After Miami, it went downhill for me.
“I had another car that didn’t suit me very well.
“I then failed to get into Q3 a few times, which affected my confidence and made me drive a lot slower.
“But in the beginning, I was competing for the world title.
“That was very difficult because when you drive for a top team, the pressure to perform increases rapidly.”
Despite the challenges, Perez maintains that he has made progress in his performance.
He emphasised that his confidence has returned, especially as he recalled his earlier victories in the season. “My confidence returned when I realised that I had won races on my own earlier in the year,” he asserted.
“I dare say that I am now 100 percent again.
“And I am once again convinced that I have a chance at the world title next year.”
However, Perez revealed that the struggles on the racetrack have impacted his personal life as well.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining a positive outlook at home with his wife and children.
To achieve this balance, he made the decision to enlist the help of a mental coach.
Perez stated, “Formula 1 is my sport, my life, my passion.
“When you have such a hard time at work, it is difficult to be cheerful at home with your wife and children.
“That’s why I hired a mental coach because my family deserves to have that cheerful father at home.
“Together with my coach, I worked on becoming the best version of myself at home, but also as a driver.”
Responding to speculations about his future at Red Bull, Perez expressed gratitude for the opportunity to drive for the top team.
He acknowledged the unique challenges of being part of the Red Bull Racing setup, which differs from most other Formula 1 teams but has yielded tremendous success.
Perez concluded, “It would be great if I could end my career here.
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“But being a driver for this team is not easy.
“Red Bull works in a different way than most teams.
“But that’s why they’re so successful.”