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MONTMELO, SPAIN: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
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MONTMELO, SPAIN: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
There are some doubts over the kind of relationship that the new Red Bull driver pairing of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will share. Checo wasn’t really the Dutchman’s preferred choice, with Max reportedly vying for his good friend Nico Hulkenberg. However, that’s now in the past, and the team’s advisor Dr Helmut Marko gave a positive report of the duo’s first meeting when they tested the newest Red Bull car.
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The Austrian said (translated by Google), “So far there have hardly been any intersections. So everything is perfect.”
However, Dr Marko made it clear what his ace driver’s ideas were. Verstappen is undoubtedly the team’s lead driver and is someone with whom Red Bull envision themselves to win the trophy. As such, the Austrian said that the Dutchman is keen to exert his authority over the new arrival.
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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing looks on during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
He said, “We’ll soon see what the races look like. There will be no presents from either of them. Max wants to assert himself and show Sergio that he was wrongly underestimated.”
But the Mexican won’t be any pushover. Checo has been in the sport for a decade and is a driver who is in top form, having finished 2020 as the best of the rest. This teammate rivalry will definitely be one to keep an eye out for.
Dr Helmut Marko talks about Sergio Perez’s integration at Red Bull
The advisor to the Milton Keynes-based outfit said, “Sergio has integrated very well. He was already able to provide us with valuable information, especially with regard to the Mercedes engine. You can tell straight away that he’s been in Formula 1 for ten years, has a lot of routine.”
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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Racing Point waves to the crowd from the garage during final practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
Perez‘s predecessors have struggled to drive the car and have landed up battling in the mid-field instead of challenging Mercedes at the front. However, it appears he has gotten off to a positive start, having decoded why his predecessors have struggled. Now, he needs to find a way to counter it and be successful.
Can Sergio Perez be the driver Red Bull want him to be? Can he support Verstappen in bringing the championship back to Milton Keynes? We shall find out soon.
Also Read: Red Bull Hiding ‘Pretty Big Surprises’ on 2021 F1 Car: Buxton
