Perez 'Not Number One By Any Stretch Of Imagination' According To F1 Champion

1980 F1 World Champion Alan Jones suggested that Sergio Perez is a good number two to Max Verstappen but not a number one by any stretch of the imagination.

Since joining Red Bull, Max Verstappen has had four teammates in eight years. The triple World Champion was only beaten by Daniel Ricciardo in his first two seasons with the team but hasn't lost a head-to-head battle with a teammate ever since.

In 2021, the Dutchman was joined by Sergio Perez. Even though he was ambitious initially, the Mexican driver was beaten by the 26-year-old by more than 150 points in the Championship during all three years they spent together.

The second seat in Red Bull comes with a lot of pressure, but actually, Jack Doohan suggested the team from Milton Keynes doesn't even want Perez to beat Verstappen.

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Christian Horner clarified that both drivers have the same opportunity. But, when it comes to Perez, they don't require him to beat Verstappen as they believe he is clearly faster.

Could the 34-year-old ever beat his Dutch teammate? The 1980 F1 World Champion Alan Jones doesn't think so. Talking about the Mexican driver to the Herald Sun, Jones said:

In 2023, Perez made some ambitious statements after the season's first four races, of which he won two. He said he would fight for the Championship, but he then failed to beat his teammate in the remaining 18 races.

The pressure of his own words amounted to Checo, and he started making multiple mistakes, to the point where people started suggesting he didn't deserve a seat in Red Bull.

This season, he came in with a much more humble approach. Though he didn't beat Verstappen in the first two races, he crossed the finish line second, which is all that his team wants from him.

Do you think the Austrian team should look for another driver, or is Perez with Verstappen the perfect combination?

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