Perez can't wait for duels with Verstappen: 'We want to beat each other'

Although Max Verstappen has clearly been the team leader at Red Bull Racing for the last two seasons, it seems he will not have that role within the team for next season. With the experienced Sergio Perez both drivers will start at the same time and the team will not make an early decision about the leadership within the team. According to the Mexican that is not necessary at all.

"To put it simply, I want to beat Max and Max wants to beat me and that's only good for the team. We are both adults and have been here long enough to deal with that feeling. I hope I can put a bit of pressure on Max," Perez explained at the press conference ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Formel1.de is present.

Don't push until qualifying

Next season Perez will be a key asset in bringing Red Bull a step closer to Mercedes. Last season Verstappen often managed to get between the two drivers of the German team, but there was clearly a lack of a strong second driver at Red Bull who could provide the necessary support.

With Perez, Red Bull are taking a step in the right direction, although they don't want to call themselves favourites just yet. "It's difficult to say. Not everyone goes all the way to qualifying," Verstappen explained. The goal of the two Red Bull drivers is to at least go to the maximum themselves. "I want to get the maximum out of the car," Perez concluded.