F1 News: Sergio Perez Shuts Down Red Bull Position Claims – “Not Here To Finish Second”
Red Bull F1’s Sergio Perez has declared his aspirations for the rest of the current racing season.
In light of some pointed criticism directed towards him this season, particularly concerning his performance in comparison to the formidable Max Verstappen, Perez stands his ground. While both drivers pilot the RB19 car, Verstappen’s current position as the championship leader has cast a shadow on Perez’s journey thus far.
The whispers around the racing circuit even suggest potential deliberations within Red Bull about Perez’s continuity for 2024 or post the expiration of his existing contract next year. However, Christian Horner, the team principal, along with motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, have firmly quashed such speculations. They’ve clearly positioned Perez as the second ace, ready to step up when Verstappen doesn’t clinch the top spot.
In a candid conversation, Perez articulated his ambitious goals for the remainder of the 2023 season, as captured by Motorsport.Nextgen-Auto:
“Victories!
“I am not here to finish second. I’d rather be at home doing something else if that’s all I was aiming for. I am here because I know I can do it — and I’ve done it before.”
Not just stopping there, Perez further took the opportunity to address his critics, emphasising the complexities and nuances of the sport.
“People commenting from their couches forget how much we’re dealing with the small details. You’ve seen it with other drivers in their teams, it happened for Daniel [Ricciardo] too. He came back to us, and the team managed to give him the right tools again.”
