International media: 'Perez threatens hegemony of Verstappen'

Sergio Perez had a fantastic weekend and the international media has been full of praise for the Mexican driver's performance. Yet there are many question marks over whether Max Verstappen's teammate can continue to show this for the next 19 GPs in 2023?

Bild - Germany

'Finally another World Championship fight,' headlines Bild. The German newspaper saw Perez approach his teammate to within six points in the world championship. 'The only question is how long it will stay that way. In the past, the Mexican has repeatedly made minor to major mistakes on race weekends. He can no longer afford it if the fight for the title in Formula 1 is to continue because the Azerbaijan Grand Prix showed once again that Red Bull is currently in a league of its own.'

La Gazzetta Dello Sport - Italy

Perez gets a 10 from the big pink Italian sports newspaper for his performance in Azerbaijan: 'Victory in the Sprint, victory in the race: two blows against Verstappen to confirm himself as a special driver in the street circuit GPs. Capital performance, but now confirmations are needed.'

Verstappen has to make do with a 9: 'It wasn't the ideal weekend for Max, always mocked by Leclerc or Perez. Despite everything, he brought home the points needed to continue to stay at the top.' The 25-year-old driver finished third in the sprint race after a gap in his sidepod was caused by a touch with Russell. A day later, he crossed the finish line in second place.

Marca - Spain

Marca saw Perez take his second win of 2023: 'Checo Pérez wins the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, his second race victory in 2023 and challenges Max Verstappen in the fight for the World Championship. It is one of the fights of the year, which the Mexican rekindles with a double victory (Sprint and Race) in Baku, taking the two-time champion out of the wheel, the unapproachable driver who had no weak points, until now.' According to the Spanish force, 'Perez is threatening Verstappen's hegemony'.

L'Equipe:

In France, L'Equipe writes: 'Only Max Verstappen was able to keep pace with Perez. The two drivers have often set the fastest time on the track, demonstrating once again the clear superiority of the Austrian single-seater. The Dutchman was unlucky by stopping just before the exit of the safety car. In the standings, the mano to mano continues between the two Red Bull drivers. The double world champion still dominates the debates with 93 points, but Perez closes in on his teammate (87 points).'

BBC - Great Britain

'Perez and Verstappen fought a long and hard fight, after the Mexican had gained the lead by gaining time with his pit stop under the safety car. Perez held Verstappen to a second behind for a long time, before running out further in the closing stages. His second win of the year brought the Dutchman's lead in the championship down to six points,' said the BBC, which is curious to see if Checo can maintain this level.

'Not everyone is as convinced as the Mexican - not even his team principal, judging by Christian Horner's comments afterwards - but Perez certainly laid down a marker around the streets of Baku.'