Pérez still relies on Verstappen's settings

Recruited to enable Red Bull to annoy more often Mercedes, and thus indirectly help his teammate Max Verstappen to play the title, Sergio Pérez is not yet giving his full measure under his new colors. 

Forced to start from the back of the grid in Bahrain due to an engine problem during the formation lap, the Mexican made a good comeback to 5th position. He then had a frustrating race in the rain at Imola, despite qualifying on the front row, ahead of Verstappen. His last performance in Portimão was solid if not spectacular, Pérez taking an honest 1th place, although well away from the leading trio. 

Currently 6th in the Drivers' standings, already 39 points behind the Dutchman, the winner of the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix recognizes that he still relies on Verstappen's set-up to accelerate his adaptation. 

« Not only have the regulations changed this year but we have very little time on track, both during winter tests and also in free practice., recalls the man from Guadalajara. The sessions go by very quickly and we can no longer work as much as before. We really have 2-3 relays and the day is already over.

On the other hand, I have an excellent reference at my side with Max. He uses the car 110%, from the first laps in FP1 to the checkered flag. In these conditions, I must first reach a certain level before I can really experiment. There's no point in going another direction because I'll just get lost. So I work on the same bases as those of my teammate ». 

Pérez believes that his last outing in Portugal “ wasn't fantastic », but consoles himself with the progress recorded in terms of rhythm during the GP.  

« What I used to do in racing doesn't work with this car, specifies the ex-Racing Point driver. I have to start from scratch, find the right approach to get the most out of the tires and my equipment. It's very different from what I knew ». 

The Mexican veteran has enough bottle to not panic but he is the latest in a long series to discover that life alongside Verstappen is not a long, quiet river. Including when you can take inspiration from its settings.