Lammers expects Perez to get the respect of Verstappen

Jan Lammers has high hopes for Sergio Perez. The former Formula 1 driver reckons Max Verstappen could struggle in 2021 with the experienced driver, who came over from Racing Point to replace Alexander Albon.

Lammers expects Perez to perform very well in the RB16B, although he will need a few Grands Prix time to get used to all the (for him) new procedures at Red Bull. In the past seven years, Perez raced for Force India/Racing Point, so things will certainly change for him.

"On the other hand, Perez is just good. He won't have to prove himself. He will just perform very close to Verstappen. And maybe if Max has a problem here and there during qualifying or whatever, then he can just be upfront as well," Lammers continued in the Formula 1 podcast of the NOS.

Can Perez command respect?

According to the analyst, it is possible that Verstappen will not beat his teammate every weekend. "At the moment it happens the Verstapps can't stand it. It's all about performance for them. On balance, Max and those around him will have respect if Perez just drives good and hard. He will get the respect that Albon was never able to command and Gasly only later on, but not at Red Bull itself. I expect them to be close."

Lammers suspects that Verstappen will eventually come to see the fun and challenge of this as well. What's more, it could push Red Bull to the next level, whereas Verstappen has had to do most of the feedback himself over the past two seasons.

Over the past two years, Perez finished higher than teammate Lance Stroll in the world championship. In 2018, Nico Hulkenberg was the last to beat Perez over a full season.