We’re five races into the 2023 Formula 1 season, and there is a two-way title fight on the cards, albeit only from within Red Bull. But while on paper both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have an equally good chance of getting their hands on that coveted trophy by the end of the season, many fans and skeptics are already preparing themselves for a Dutch victory lap. Perez has started the season strongly, but is Checo’s title bid only a false positive?

In these past few years, no one has been able to defeat the relentless Verstappen. Even 7x champion, Lewis Hamilton fell short back in 2021. Then why is all the buzz surrounding the Mexican Minister of Defense? Well, for starters, he’s actually shown that he is able to match and sometimes obliterate Verstappen’s pace. But with hindsight in 20/20 and the Dutch lion’s Miami GP performance, is there a caveat to Perez’s performances this year?

Why Sergio Perez may not be able to beat Max Verstappen

During the Miami GP, Perez succumbed to a charging Max Verstappen. Starting on pole, the Mexican finished second, while his teammate won the race from ninth on the grid. Even though Verstappen was on the ultimately superior strategy, this does expose some holes in the title bid Checo hopes to mount this season.

On a recent episode of the F1 Nation podcast, host Tom Clarkson started by analyzing the battle of the Bulls. He said, “I think as [Christian] Horner said after the race; the difference between them was in the sector, otherwise there was noting to separate the drivers. Okay, there’s fourteen points between Perez and Verstappen in the World Championship; I think it’s still anyone’s.”

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But Sky Sports F1’s pitlane reporter, Natalie Pinkham, was quick to point a chink in Perez’s armor. “I think Perez is a great driver, no doubt. But I think various things have to be going his way in order for him to secure victory. I feel like Max wrestles victory from the jaws of defeat.”

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But with Imola, Monaco, and Barcelona to follow, there is another aspect of an advantage for the 2x champion over his teammate.

Verstappen admits circuit racing supremacy over Perez

Sergio Perez is known as the king of the Street Circuits for a reason. That being said, to become a World Champion, just dominating street circuits isn’t going to be enough. And with the next few races being run on Verstappen’s territory, the ball is surely in the Dutch lion’s court.

GPBlog.com quoted Verstappen as saying, “No, I mean, I think sometimes, you know, some tracks probably suit you a bit better and probably for Checo, you know, his driving style and the way he likes the car probably suits a bit better to a street circuit. I personally don’t really enjoy street circuits. So probably there is also something in that.”

“I prefer more the fast corners, but that’s how it goes. You know, you have a few street circuits on the calendar, a few normal tracks as well.”

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Can Sergio Perez really upset the norm and beat Max Verstappen over the course of a season in 2023?