"Perez starts to become a thorn in Verstappen's side"

Johnny Herbert believes Sergio Perez is closing the gap on Max Verstappen at Red Bull. Next weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix is scheduled and at the Baku circuit the Mexican seems to feel like a fish out of water. According to the former Formula 1 driver Perez could be a 'thorn in Verstappen's side' for the rest of the season.

At Sky Sports Herbert is asked how he views the gap between Verstappen and Perez. "It's getting closer," said the Formula 1 analyst, who argued that Perez has made great strides compared to 2021. "He's settling into the team brilliantly. He did a wonderful job as we saw in Monaco, he seems to be maturing brilliantly for Sergio himself and for the team with the constructors' championship being such an important part in Formula 1."

Appreciation for Perez driving style

The way Perez drives in the RB18 certainly meets with Herbert's approval. He advises young drivers to look at the driving style of the three-time Grand Prix winner. "The way he has gone about his racing, has been something a lot of youngsters should look at when they are trying to get themselves into Formula 1 from karting. He conducts himself in a brilliant way. He's getting stronger."

Last season, Perez managed to win in Baku after Verstappen suffered a blowout and Lewis Hamilton shot straight on after the restart. In 2018 Perez was also on the podium in the Azerbaijani capital, then on behalf of Racing Point. The circuit seems to suit him and that bodes well for what will be the eighth F1 weekend of the calendar.

Perez can compete with Verstappen

"That is only going to enable him to show the speed he has actually got. He is starting to become a thorn in side maybe for Verstappen which will be really interesting to see how that dynamic works at the same time. We have some brilliant stuff coming our way because those Red Bull drivers really get it together when we get to Azerbaijan. Who knows who will come out on top," Herbert concluded.