Formula 1 loves a great driver. Moreover, it relishes a fast charger through the field; someone who can put forth an attacking challenge to the rest of the grid, including his own teammate.
It appears, Sergio Perez, widely identified as one of the most consistent drivers and now a visibly fast lad behind the wheel of a car, is that man.
If his previous season was an indication of the Red Bull driver picking up form and coming into his own as the year progressed, then the Sergio Perez of 2023, where it stands at present, is a new beast altogether.
There’s greater purpose and a clearer sense of direction to his craft. And it’s gathering plaudits and more importantly, newfound respect.
Perez is leaving nothing to chance. Perhaps having sensed that he is- and may not really be- the blue eyed boy of Christian Horner, someone who isn’t congratulated instantly by the boss upon winning a Grand Prix since pacifying Verstappen finds greater precedence, Perez has declared an all out attack.
But again, his way of expression isn’t courtesy expletives, temperamental outbursts or any form of vitriol.
The Sergio Perez method is to push his RB19 as much as it can be possibly pushed in order to mesmerise the remainder of the grid with sheer pace.
And it’s working well for him. A victory at Baku, just a few days back, has only strengthened his case as one of the better drivers this year whilst many around him can be found struggling.
Yet, here’s the biggest differentiator between the Perez of last year and the one evident at the moment.
For a driver who began his 2022 F1 season with a disappointing DNF (Bahrain) only to follow it up with a finish outside the podium places in the very next race (Jeddah), Sergio Perez had only collected 48 points overall prior to beginning round five last year: the Miami Grand Prix.
This time, however, there’s been no DNF and barring the fifth place finish at Australia, even though an effort widely lauded, Sergio Perez has bagged podiums in three of the four races held thus far in the run up to round five in 2023: the forthcoming Miami Grand Prix.
What’s more?
While the Mexican had 48 points against his name from four races, this time, however, he has increased the points tally to 79 from four races.
Implicit in the vastly changing fortunes from the last year are two massive wins, both of which came this year at the twisty street courses- Saudi Arabia first and Azerbaijan later.
Of course, Perez’ most recent triumph at the exasperating Baku contest has earned him a feat that not even the greats such as Hamilton, Alonso or Verstappen have to their credit.
It’s that no other driver barring the former Force India and Racing Point talent has won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on two separate occasions; Perez, who won the sprint race as also the main Baku Grand Prix in 2023 has become the first man from the current grid to do so.
That’s a serious achievement for a driver who still continues to be many supporters’ sentimental favourite, if not the hot favourite to clinch the world title in a season.
On the challenging streets of Baku, Perez’s race pace troubled Sainz. Not long after the start, he passed Leclerc in an emphatic fashion and made most of a safety car deployment period that allowed him to jump Verstappen to take control of the track position. But he wouldn’t relent from that point onwards and controlled the contest without breaking into a sweat.
Even as Max continued his pursuit of his teammate, Perez didn’t give into the pressure. The man some consider the number two at Red Bull showed true grit.
It’s precisely the thing coupled with added consistency that Sergio Perez will need come the Miami Grand Prix.
To many, just the fact that there’s yet another contest in America will be the key driving factor of this next race. Though, to a talent no longer young like a Yuki but one supported by a very capable machinery, the Miami Grand Prix will signify just one thing and one alone.
The man nowadays described as Formula 1’s street king will be ready to contest in a bull fight in the American heartland to submit a bid to claim what could probably be yet another street triumph.
And should that happen, Perez will go quite some distance in landing a confidence smashing sucker punch on Max’s fortunes.