Sergio Perez is suddenly a contender for the championship after the Monaco Grand Prix. Jack Plooij thinks that Red Bull Racing should declare Max Verstappen as the team's first driver right now.

Max Verstappen has not known competition at his own team for a long time. Since the departure of Daniel Ricciardo at the end of 2018 at Red Bull Racing, the Dutchman has left his teammates far behind. But Sergio Perez is feeling a lot better in the car this season compared to 2021 and is managing to get good results.

With his victory in Monaco, the Mexican has even reported for the battle for the championship. Verstappen currently leads, but there is not much difference between Charles Leclerc in spot two and Sergio Perez in third.

To make sure Red Bull Racing maximizes the points, Jack Plooij thinks the team should now clarify the ranking. "I think Red Bull should now state once and for all that Max is the first driver. That would be very handy, then we will get rid of these discussions here at the table and it will also be clear for Perez," states the former reporter at Ziggo Sport.

Clear difference in salary

According to Plooij, the difference in status between Verstappen and Perez is already well illustrated by the salaries of the drivers. The Dutchman signed a historic contract earlier this year and receives a salary of tens of millions of dollars. Perez, meanwhile, brings in a lot of money through sponsors and according to Plooij is paid from that and thus receives no salary from Red Bull Racing. Therefore Verstappen would already be the first driver at the team according to Plooij.