Despite rummaging for positions throughout the field during the race in Australia, Sergio Perez could finish as high as P5. An incredible result for any driver of any caliber starting from the back of the grid. However, the Mexican has higher expectations from himself in the current campaign and every point counts. This scenario put Perez 15 points behind the championship leader at the moment, Max Verstappen. However, despite opening a gap between himself and Verstappen, the Mexican earned mega praise from his boss.

Perez has openly communicated his ambitions to fight for the championship. The Mexican believes the team has been supportive of his ambitions as well. However, it’s his own doing that cost Perez valuable points even though he picked up one extra for the fastest lap in the race. However, for team principal Christian Horner, it was the effort by Perez that he shared his appreciation for, as quoted by Motorsport-total.

Horner said, “A great comeback and very important points for him and the team. He also drove the fastest lap. It was a great performance and a great race to catch up. Melbourne is a difficult track to overtake. I haven’t seen many overtakes anyway. Max took the lead once and ‘Checo’ fought his way up well from last place. But even with four DRS zones, overtaking at this track is huge difficult.” (Translated by Google)

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However, despite his mammoth effort and proving his critiques wrong with a race win, Perez still isn’t a championship contender for some. The Mexican will have to take the fight to his teammate week in and week out. However, some critics believe only in the absence of Verstappen can Perez shine.

Sergio Perez is discounted in the championship fight in comparison to Max Verstappen

Tom Coronel, a WTCC racing driver, while speaking to Viaplay, communicated how he does not believe Perez has what it takes. The Dutchman even discounted Perez’s pole position in Jeddah and said it was only because of Verstappen’s qualifying troubles.

“You only have the chance of pole if Verstappen drops out.” Said Coronel and pointed out his weakness, “Let’s be very realistic for a moment: it’s about race pace. You drive fifty laps and race pace is managing your tires and checking how you handle them. We know that Pérez is not the strongest in this.”

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Perez cannot seem to put other people’s convictions into his efforts. However, we doubt he minds the criticism and keeps his head down, and works towards his goal. Like any professional would.