Pérez: Victory “gets you hooked”

Between his late recruitment by Red Bull Racing and the start of his 2021 preparation, Sergio Pérez hardly had the opportunity to breathe this winter. 

The Mexican doesn't care, only too happy to finally evolve within a top team, if we consider that McLaren began a several-year decline during its short-lived stint in 2013. 

« It was a very busy offseason, Pérez confided this Thursday during a virtual press conference. I signed my contract late in the year in 2020 but I am extremely motivated. I hardly took a vacation. 

I immediately continued with my physical preparation, then the back and forth with the factory, the constant exchanges with the engineers. The objective is to get into the rhythm as quickly as possible, ideally from Bahrain ». 

• Take your chance

With only 3 days of winter testing on the program in 2021 and an off-season disrupted by the pandemic situation, Pérez is not arriving at the Milton Keynes (United Kingdom) team in the best conditions. 

The native of Guadalajara (Mexico) also only has one year of contract and is preparing to take on the ogre Max Verstappen, who put his last two teammates under the spotlight and on the sidelines, Pierre Gasly et Alexander albon.

Nothing to worry about for the 31-year-old Mexican, who has seen others in 10 seasons of Formula 1. 

« When things don't go your way, the pressure can be very strong and weigh you down., commented the Red Bull neo-driver. When you have experience and have already experienced difficult times, you know how to focus on the essentials. 

You have been able to develop technically over the years. I think I'm in a great phase of my career. This opportunity comes at the perfect time ». 

Pérez believes that he and Verstappen will form a complementary pair and is not afraid to rub shoulders with the Dutch virtuoso.

« I have confidence in my abilities, assured the ex-Racing Point driver. It's only a matter of time before I master all the details. Once that happens, I don't see why I won't be up to par. 

From what I have seen, Max is very strong in qualifying. He will be a great reference. My strength lies more on Sunday with my racing knowledge and my pace on long relays ».

• Healthy addiction

The latest driver to enter the Grand Prix winners’ circle, Pérez has set himself the goal of winning “ results better than the car is capable of ”, without dismissing the title. 

« Winning is a great feeling but you want more, concluded the Mexican by talking about his success in Sakhir (Bahrain). It gets you addicted. After the first victory, you can't wait to win the 2nd. And when I win the 2nd, the cycle will continue even more. Winning your first GP gives you a lot of confidence because you know you can do it. And so do it again ». 

An ambitious speech of good quality but it would be easy to brush it aside by putting it down to the blind and seasonal optimism which still prevails in F1 before the winter tests (March 12 to 14 in Bahrain) . But Checo has been through too much not to have the fangs when it comes time to enter the big leagues.