Sergio Perez had a tough three races before entering the paddock at the Red Bull Ring. Pressure mounts on the driver who was once considered Max Verstappen’s title rival this season, as all eyes were on him to perform better during the Austrian GP weekend. However, a P15 qualifying result has Perez roasted for his results in a dominant Red Bull.
Earlier, Perez was often mentioned in the same breath as Valtteri Bottas– both drivers succumbing to the role of a second driver to loyally push their better halves to the top. The debate was once about who was the better wingman. However, now, fans can’t help but push Perez aside after yet another subpar session at the Red Bull Ring.
While in Mercedes, Bottas had maintained an incredible streak of 101 consecutive Q3 appearances alongside Lewis Hamilton. Not only was this difficult to achieve, but also it was almost expected of the driver considering he was behind the wheel of a Mercedes beast.
On the other hand, Perez has now missed out on four consecutive Q3 appearances- which wouldn’t be a big deal, except Verstappen has bagged pole position in each instance. Thus, the question remains- what happened to Perez, and is his seat under threat? However, fans only want one thing made clear- Bottas has won the argument.
Fans rally for Valtteri Bottas as Sergio Perez has salt in his wounds
On one side, Red Bull fans are ready to throw Daniel Ricciardo into Perez’s seat as Twitter quickly flooded with Ricciardo’s images and memes. On the other, Mercedes fans couldn’t help but mock the downbeat driver, who has now seemingly lost the ability to be mentioned in the same breath as Valtteri Bottas
Comparisons between Bottas and Perez were quick to flood the Twitter timeline, as fans remained shocked at the Red Bull driver’s performance yet again.
https://twitter.com/drizzyahya/status/1674811059633545217?s=20
It also called to question the dynamic between Verstappen and Perez; the former cruises through the season in a dominant car with no rivals, not even his teammate.
Unfortunately, the driver was also labeled “midrez” by this fan:
https://twitter.com/maxverstrapon/status/1674807840752451584?s=20
Horner disappointed with Perez’s performance
With Verstappen on pole yet again, it’s hard to blame anyone but Perez for the P15 result. And thus, Horner minced no words in stating his disappointment with the driver.
Perez had his lap times deleted after failing to remain within track limits. A mistake that could happen to anyone- Perez was warned mich before he crossed the line in Q2. Therefore, Horner was fuming.
“He’s got a car that was easily capable of being on the first or second row, he was matching Max’s times; stay in the white lines,” fumed Horner, while speaking to SkySports F1. “It was strike one; strike two – ‘Checo, just stay in the white lines’; strike three, and that was it.”
The Red Bull team principal expects more from his driver. “It’s hugely frustrating because he could have been there, he could have done it. So that’s the frustration. It’s fantastic to have got the pole, but it feels… not complete.”
And so the pressure builds. Perez has proven himself to be a worthy player in Red Bull’s game, but now, the cup overflows.
