In 2023, at Red Bull, the age-old debate of who’s better in equal machinery within a team is taking shape. Sergio Perez is taking a stake at being better in the same machinery by going against his teammate Max Verstappen. However, the Mexican is yet to prove his worth to the world because Perez is yet to find support for his ambitions. For most, the Mexican does not compare to his overpowering teammate.

Perez might be driving the same car as Verstappen. He has almost the same resources as Verstappen at his disposal. Despite that, there are only a handful of F1 entities that believe Perez can challenge Verstappen. However, most are in Team Verstappen and even compare him to one of the greats. Journalist and former team boss Peter Windsor is on Verstappen’s side, which he revealed in his Australian GP breakdown on YouTube.

Mocking Perez and discussing the race in Australia. Windsor said, “He’d been saying things like I can win this championship. Wohh hang on Sergio, just take it cool, mate. You are No.2 to Max Verstappen basically. I think this was like a reality check of you’re not Max Verstappen.” 

“There was a little bit of relief I think at Red Bull with that because they never need, and they’re so good at this, is that sort of ridiculous additional pressure on Max.”

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Like every F1 driver on the grid, Perez has ambitions to win races and the championship. For the first time in his career, Perez finds himself in a team that can deliver his goal. However, it’s his teammate that is taking all the votes. Although, there is one former world champion that believes Perez can beat Verstappen.

British former world champion believes Sergio Perez is no pushover amidst the Max Verstappen dominance

Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, has been following Perez’s career since the start. The Mexican has impressed the Brit on multiple occasions. This is exactly why Hill believes Perez is no pushover and can take the fight to Verstappen.

Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Hill said, “There is so much invested in Max as a person who will ensure that this team can compete for championships for a very, very, very long time that you naturally think that the attention will be on Max and less on Checo.” He added, “But Checo jumped on the bandwagon. He showed he can’t be pushed around, and he won’t let himself be portrayed as the weakest link.”

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Hill is a needle in the haystack when it comes to F1 entities choosing sides in the Red Bull battle. Perez is by no means a shabby driver. However, when compared to Verstappen, the Mexican’s supporters are far and few. Will he be able to prove his doubters wrong in 2023?