Perez a title contender: 'Won't be run down by Verstappen'

Jacques Villeneuve suggests in his Formula1.com column that Sergio Perez is a serious title contender. According to the 1997 world champion, Perez is the first Red Bull driver not to be driven around the ears by Max Verstappen.

Prior to the Formula 1 season, Red Bull seemed to be focused on Verstappen. With number #1 on the car as the reigning world champion, the team wants to do everything possible to defend that title, but in 2022 Perez is also in that title race. With his victory in Monaco, he moved closer to the leaders and is only fifteen points behind Verstappen.

Pressure on Verstappen

Where Ferrari has lost momentum, according to Villeneuve, after two setbacks for Charles Leclerc, Perez has bombed himself into being a serious title contender. ''He's been fast all year and is not blown over by Max. He's the only teammate who hasn't been completely run down by Max,'' the Canadian said.

According to Villeneuve, Red Bull Racing has no choice but to give Perez a fair chance. They are fighting with Ferrari and that means you can't just keep giving team orders. Much will also depend on the situation at Ferrari. As long as Carlos Sainz gets a fair chance within that team, there is no need for Red Bull to focus all its efforts on one driver.