It is the most difficult job to be driving next to the best driver on the grid. Even your best may fall short of being the benchmark. Max Verstappen has always been a force to reckon with. If you think driving on the same grid as him is difficult, imagine driving in the same machinery. A former F1 driver has added to the mounting pressure on Sergio Perez, being a little too truthful with his opinions.
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In other sports, your teammate is your best buddy. But in Formula 1, your teammate becomes your greatest competition. Perhaps that is why Nico Rosberg’s championship in the same machinery as Lewis Hamilton is talked about till date. Juan Pablo Montoya, a race winner himself, is of the opinion that Checo is not as good as Max Verstappen even after performing as well as him during the first half of this past season.
Formula One F1 – Mexico City Grand Prix – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico – October 27, 2022 Red Bull’s Sergio Perez during a press conference REUTERS/Henry Romero
In an interview with Motorsport.com, Montoya drew a comparison between the Mexican and Verstappen saying, “If you look at the beginning of the year, when Max didn’t feel comfortable and ‘Checo’ could drive him (at Red Bull), ‘Checo’ was faster than him. Is ‘Checo’ a better driver than Max? The truth is, no. He is a very good driver, but I don’t think he is at Max’s level.” [Translated using Google]
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Montoya further went on to elaborate on what sets Red Bull apart in terms of the development graph.
Red Bull is in a different league than the former Williams driver
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Red Bull constructed a car that flew while others struggled. Their impeccable strategy also was infallible, pushing them to dominate the 2022 season. Montoya believes a team that can progress as the Raging Bulls is in a league of its own.
Formula One F1 – Singapore Grand Prix – Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore – October 2, 2022 Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in action ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc during the race REUTERS/Caroline Chia
He said, “And that’s where the team does a really good job. They understand what you need and make it better. This is where I think it gets really cool. What Red Bull has always done well is the amount of progress they make with the car. They can really develop the car. Same as Mercedes. The development rate of the cars compared to any other team, they are in a different league.”
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Mercedes and Red Bull have often been compared to each other in terms of car development. Can they be compared to each other in the championship battle this year?
