Analysis | Sergio Perez realises he does not fit in with current Red Bull

It was not so long ago: Sergio Perez thought he had a real chance of winning the world title after his win in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. After a truly dramatic weekend in Monaco and 'only' a fourth-place finish in Barcelona, the world looks completely different: Max Verstappen is now 53 points ahead of the Mexican, who can no longer afford a misstep.

Look and read all the interviews on it, and turf how often Perez uses the word 'team'. Of course, in Formula 1 it is customary to talk about 'we', but still. Perez mentions time and again how important 'the team' is, especially at times when he stands with a trophy in his hands. Or, the reverse also happens, when things don't go as hoped, he also frequently uses the word 'team'. Fair is fair, the Mexican admitted after his crash during qualifying at the Monaco GP that he and not the team had made a mistake.

Not the quality of Verstappen

After the Barcelona race - where Perez failed to make it out of Q2 - the word 'we' was back. 'We' did not have to take unnecessary risks. The word 'we' implies a certain partial responsibility if something doesn't go right, but is that really the case in Perez's case? After all, for a season and a half, this team has been delivering a car that is unbeatable in Verstappen's hands. Of course, Verstappen is an absolutely top driver, with qualities that Perez does not possess. Perez does have a car with which he should really be able to finish at least second every time without much effort. But he doesn't, at least not in Barcelona. That is not for the first time.

In Red Bull's preview of the Canadian Grand Prix, Perez - just like Verstappen - comes into play. After doodling that he is looking forward to the next race, the Mexican says he has been in Milton Keynes recently, at Red Bull Racing's factory. "We have put in a lot of good work and had some very constructive conversations. I know what I must do to get back to the form I am capable of," Perez said. To add: "And as a team, we know how to get the car into a window where I will perform best."

'Working together as a team'

With this, Perez says he did not fit in with the car and its characteristics as Red Bull has given it lately. The car is dead fast when Verstappen is driving it. That car, Perez apparently struggles with. Is the team really to blame? Did it look too much at Verstappen's qualities and not at Perez? Then the Mexican talks about 'the team' again: "Getting through moments like this, it’s more important than ever to work as a team and we will all support each other to push for the win in Canada. I have a fantastic car and it’s always exciting to get behind the wheel."

Perez then concludes self-critically, because more than adjusting the car in detail to suit his own driving style, he realises, "I must be massively consistent in Montreal and have a complete weekend."