Perez wants better despite second place: 'So much room for improvement'

How second place in the final rankings was achieved, no one will know in a few years. Then Wikipedia will only report: 'Sergio Perez is the 2023 Formula 1 vice-world champion'. After a turbulent season, the end is good, all is well for the Mexican, who was under immense pressure all season at Red Bull Racing.

After a difficult period in the summer, Perez managed to regain his form in recent weeks. Although the Mexican did lose a place twice - in Brazil and Las Vegas - in the last race lap, overall he showed signs of improvement. The Red Bull Racing driver himself was also reasonably satisfied with his recent times.

"Yeah, I've been saying for the last four or five events, I think we've managed to progress a lot. And we've had a lot of pace. But for some reason, we haven't been able to put in a whole weekend. Yesterday in Qualifying, I think we couldn't really show our pace but I think we are definitely heading in the right direction. We made a lot of progress. And still a lot of things that we are tightening up and there is some more room to keep improving," Perez said.

So second place in the championship is definitely in for Perez, making him an even bigger hero in his own country than he already was. Nine times he was on the podium in 2023, including twice on the top step. In Abu Dhabi, Perez will have the chance to make it 10 podium finishes.