Ever since the start of the 2023 season, both Red Bull drivers have turned out to be their own competitors. Owing to the brilliance Adrian Newey and his team have put together, it seems like the other drivers don’t even stand a chance. Unless one of their drivers falters the way Sergio Perez did during the Qualifying in Melbourne, it is almost certain that the top two spots on the podium will go to him and his teammate Max Verstappen.

Last year, the Austrian team did everything in its capacity to seal the top two spots in the drivers’ championship. However, Checo could only finish in 3rd, agonizingly close to Charles Leclerc in 2nd. This time around though, the Minister of Defense is neither willing to settle for 3rd, nor 2nd.

Red Bull deflated their rivals’ confidence when they registered a 1-2 finish, with Verstappen ahead, at the season opener in Bahrain. The perfect run continued in Jeddah, albeit this time with Perez in the lead. Only a single point for the fastest lap separated the two in overall standings. That changed in Australia as Checo could only finish P5 but that clearly hasn’t broken his spirit.

Sergio Perez ready to take the fight to Max Verstappen for the number 1 spot

It is no secret that Max is Red Bull’s priority driver. They may deny it all they want, but experts and fans would continue to disagree. The good thing, however, is that both drivers have been given a free hand to lock horns on the tarmac. Perez is ready to take advantage of that.

“I think that’s important to stay in the fight throughout the season. To have a car in which you can be competitive in whatever situation you are in,” Motorsportweek quoted Perez as saying in Melbourne.

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“If I want to win the championship, I have to beat Max weekend-in, weekend-out. To keep this level of consistency throughout the season.”

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Checo expressing his desire to win the championship is not a new thing. His father Antonio, in a recent interview, revealed that his son vowed never to return to his motherland unless he wins the title.

Perez does not believe race wins alone can take him to the top

During the 2022 campaign, Verstappen took a record-breaking 15 race wins home. Meanwhile, his partner could only contribute with 2 to the team’s overall tally of 17. However, Checo still does not believe that only race wins can take him to the summit.

“It’s hard to say [how many wins I need]. It’s all about consistency,” he added. “You can win 15 races but if in the other races you just crash and have DNFs and so on, it’s not enough.”

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To excel against the likes of Max will take a herculean effort, one that many before Perez have perished trying.