Perez Didn't Get Slower But Verstappen Keeps Stepping Up According To Villeneuve
F1Sunday, 04 August 2024 at 14:00
Although Sergio Perez's results have worsened, Jacques Villeneuve proposed that it isn't him who is becoming slower, but rather the Red Bull car, and only Max Verstappen can now drive it.
Sergio Perez went from scoring four podiums in the first five races to being unable to finish better than seventh in the last eight races before the summer break.
It was rumored for a while that he would be replaced, but the team from Milton Keynes decided against it. Perhaps, they came to a similar conclusion as Jacques Villeneuve.
Speaking to Instantcasino.com, the 1997 World Champion explained that he believed the Mexican driver didn't become worse than he was two years ago.
"There is a lack of judgment of the Sergio Perez situation. I don't think Perez is worse than he was two years ago, but Max Verstappen has had to step up so the gap between the two has increased."
"Perez is finding it much harder to drive this car, and so is Verstappen, but we're seeing the Verstappen who won his first championship this season."
While Verstappen's position in the Drivers' Championship at the moment is looking comfortable, the former F1 driver suggested this season has already been much more exhausting for him than the first two.
"Emotions can suck your energy dry, it's not a great feeling. Max Verstappen feels it too, but he's able to replenish that energy to win a race week after week."
The triple World Champion hasn't won four consecutive races between the 2024 Austrian and Belgian Grand Prix. This is something that hasn't happened since 2020, and it only goes to show how more and more challenging it is for Red Bull and the 26-year-old. Villeneuve added:
"Every race weekend in 2021 was taxing for him, the next two years were a lot more relaxed but this year he has had to work very hard to perform. That amount of effort can be taxing and tire you out."
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