The Formula 1 world has always been a place where individual brilliance is lauded, but teamwork remains the linchpin of every successful title campaign. Max Verstappen‘s just a-month-old remarks, in which he seemed confident of securing both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles single-handedly, may have raised eyebrows, but his reliance on teammate Sergio Perez cannot be ignored now.

Verstappen’s bravado came to light, particularly after the British GP, where Perez faced an unfortunate Q1 exit. The Dutchman, quoted by marca.com, expressed disbelief at Perez’s struggle to reach Q3. “I don’t know why things went wrong [with Perez] today, but of course, with our car, you have to get into Q3. We are also fighting for the team championship. At the moment, I think I can do it alone,“ he stated.

The 2023 season’s statistics tell an intriguing tale. While Verstappen is responsible for 63% of Red Bull’s total points, it’s the balance that Perez brings that plays a crucial role in the championship battle. While individual drivers like Alex Albon and Yuki Tsunoda have had the heavy burden of shouldering their teams’ entire points haul at 100%, Max’s situation is far from solitary. Given Tsunoda & Albon are scraping single-digit points, it is not an exact comparison, regardless Max needs Checo’s support to some extent.

Even Lewis Hamilton often hailed for his Herculean efforts, holds just 61% of Mercedes’ score, a proof of the sport’s collaborative nature. It’s pertinent to remember that the Mexican driver’s contributions extend beyond just numbers. Perez’s victories, like the one in Azerbaijan, and his sporadic podium appearances in Miami and Austria have not only consolidated Red Bull’s position in the Constructors’ Championship but also strategically hampered Lewis Hamilton’s title assault in 2021. With Perez serving as a buffer between Verstappen and Hamilton on numerous occasions, the dynamics of many races have shifted in favor of the Bulls.

It’s an age-old debate – can a driver truly conquer the F1 world alone, without a competent wingman? The stark contrast between Verstappen’s consistent top-step podium finishes and Perez’s infrequent appearances might lead some to think so.  As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the interplay between Verstappen and Perez evolves, especially when the chips are down. Will the Dutchman still believe he can “do it alone” or will he openly acknowledge the silent yet substantial role Perez plays in his title quest?

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Red Bull’s duel: Minardi sheds light on Max Verstappen’s dominance and Sergio Perez’s struggles

Former F1 team boss Gian Carlo Minardi weighed in on the current state of Red Bull Racing and their dual drivers – Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Verstappen continues to blaze a trail of unmatched pace and precision, proving his mettle time and again. After a three-week hiatus, many wondered if the summer break would see a reset in form. However, Max answered in emphatic style, clinching victory in the high-pressure environment of his home race at Zandvoort.

While Max has been collecting accolades, Sergio Perez’s season seems to be one of contrast. Starting the 2023 season on a high with two race wins and two sprint race victories, Checo set himself as a frontrunner. However, post the Azerbaijan GP, a cloud seems to have overshadowed his sunny start. “Despite the three-week summer break, Red Bull and Max Verstappen confirmed they are unbeatable in every track condition,” Minardi wrote in a column on the Minardi website.

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“Once again Verstappen took home the win without making the slightest mistake, outclassing his team-mate on whom questionable tactics were adopted.” Minardi hints at a possible internal disparity in the Red Bull camp, stating questionable tactics have been levied on Perez. It raises questions – Is the team’s strategy hindering the Mexican’s prowess? Or is it merely a slump in form?

A formidable driver of Perez’s caliber finding challenges not only in challenging Verstappen but in bagging points has raised eyebrows. As we gear up for the next GP, all eyes will be on Red Bull to see if they can maintain their dominance and if Perez can find his early-season mojo once again.

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