Ex-Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has told Sergio Perez to just “go for it” this season against reigning World Champion Max Verstappen, with 2023 perhaps being Perez’s final chance at claiming a world title.
Whether it’s his final chance or not remains to be seen; however, this season is without a doubt Perez’s best opportunity to finally write his name into Formula 1 history.
Perez has won two races from the opening five races this season, with the 33-year-old currently sitting 14 points behind Verstappen ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The upcoming triple-header is huge for Checo, with him needing to make sure that he remains within touching distance of Verstappen by the time it comes to an end.
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With there being three races back-to-back, momentum will be hugely significant, with a strong weekend in Imola being the perfect way to then enter the Monaco Grand Prix, where he claimed a famous win last season.
Perez can’t let Verstappen win all three races over the next three weekends, with that potentially then being game over in regard to the Drivers’ Championship.
Herbert thinks Checo needs to “risk” absolutely everything to become World Champion this year, including, his Red Bull seat.
The Briton compared Perez to 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg, who “wasn’t popular” amongst the Silver Arrows in Herbert’s eyes; however, that ultimately didn’t matter given that he defeated Lewis Hamilton and claimed a world title.
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“A bit like Nico (Rosberg). All the little things he did during his time with Lewis. He wasn’t popular within the team and his relationship with Toto I believe wasn’t very good, but he got that trophy on his mantlepiece,” Herbert told Express Sport.
“If it’s your only shot you’ll do anything to get that trophy on your mantelpiece. If you get thrown out at the end of that season that trophy is on the mantelpiece.
”We know Max has got that mentality and Lewis has that mentality and all the other drivers in the past who have won world championships.
“Now it’s seeing if Sergio wants to do the same thing. It’s a risk that you may lose that seat, the best seat in Formula One at the present time. But to win a world championship? I’d go for it.”