Sergio Pérez is facing arguably the two biggest races of his Red Bull career so far, with the Mexican on the verge of achieving something that the Austrians have never done since joining the championship.
Despite the side having won six Drivers’ Championships and five Constructors’ Championships, Red Bull have never claimed a one-two in the Drivers’ standings, something the 32-year-old is on-track to do.
Going into this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, Pérez leads Charles Leclerc by a marginal five points in the duel for second, one that looks set to be concluded at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Pérez will be hoping to unlock a superpower this weekend, with the driver set to wear a Black Panther themed helmet, to celebrate the launch of Marvel’s newest release ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’.
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The film, which made its premiere in Los Angeles last week, is the sequel to the $1.348 billion original, which was released in 2018.
Pérez released photos of his brilliant helmet design on social media, after attending the premiere.
“My helmet for the next race, your thoughts? Hope we can be as fast as Black Panther,” Pérez wrote on Twitter.
In regard to the Drivers’ standings, Pérez’s battle with Leclerc is really the last of any interest, given the fact that Red Bull have never achieved a one-two.
Based on recent results, Pérez will be the favourite to hang onto second, given the fine form he’s been in since claiming victory at the Singapore Grand Prix.
In the last four races, Pérez has picked up a victory, a second-place finish, a third-place finish and a P4, whereas Leclerc has claimed a P2, two third place finishes and a P6.
This weekend’s race in Interlagos is likely to see Ferrari as Red Bull’s closest challenger, despite the recent resurgence of Mercedes.
The Mexican Grand Prix wasn’t one that the Italians were expecting to go well at; however, the last two races should be much better suited to the F1-75.
Pérez is expecting the fight to remain “really close” until the season is concluded, after admitting that he knows “Leclerc will be aggressive”.
“I think in general with Charles it has been good, the fighting,” the Mexican said at his home race.
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“It’s always, really close, really tight.
“And you know that Charles will be aggressive, always, but always fair. And it’s something I don’t believe he will change, no matter how we get into Abu Dhabi, what difference will it make because he is like that?
“I also feel like, from my side, I’m also fair. So I don’t expect that to change.”