'Perez is good, but he is up against a phenomenon'

Former GP2 champion Davide Valsecchi praises Sergio Perez for his achievements in Formula 1 but does not see the Mexican winning the F1 title in 2023. Indeed, Perez is up against a phenomenon in his battle with Max Verstappen.

Valsecchi, a test driver for the Lotus F1 team in 2011 and 2012, is now an F1 analyst at the Italian branch of Sky Sports and discusses the 2023 Formula 1 title race with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. Red Bull Racing is the favourite and the driver's title is likely to go to one of the two drivers.

Perez good, Verstappen champion

Valsecchi does not think Perez can beat his teammate: "If we talk about some confrontations during the season I think so. But winning the championship I don't think so. Perez is very good, but the problem is that he is up against a phenomenon. Phenomena are strong every day of the week, plus Sunday."

And this is why, according to the Italian, Perez is not a phenomenon: "Perez is a good driver, but he only achieves that level occasionally. In our sport, that's the difference between good drivers and champions. Champions do what [Fernando] Alonso is doing this year; always third, once fourth. They are hammers [...] Perez reminds me more of [Valtteri] Bottas. A good driver who was really strong at four or five circuits against [Lewis] Hamilton."