The 2024 season will be crucial for Sergio Pérez

Last year, Sergio Perez resisted Max Verstappen in the first four Grand Prix. But after that, nothing more. The Mexican driver endured a difficult season, constantly being overshadowed by his unbeatable teammate Max Verstappen. In the end, there was a huge gap of 290 points between them. Sergio Perez, whose seat was under threat for this year, hopes for a comeback to outperform his teammate who will be chasing a fourth world championship.

Do better: Perez’s goal.

Paradoxically, this second place in the World Drivers’ Championship is Sergio Perez’s best career result. However, his season, marred by errors and a lack of pace, has discredited him in the eyes of everyone. So, if Sergio Perez’s odds of beating Max Verstappen in 2024 are expected to be immensely high, the Mexican wants to do better.

« It’s the main goal. I’ve already finished second before and my main interest is to do better. I am aware of the challenge that represents. We will take advantage of this winter period to try to start the season with a bang and be able to maintain this level of consistency throughout the season,” said the 33-year-old driver.

In an interview with Sky Sports last December, Sergio Perez acknowledged his lack of pace throughout the season, while praising the merits of Max Verstappen in a historic season on several fronts.

« I think we need a better rhythm and a very regular season. I feel like we’ve been on a roller coaster ride this year. To be honest, I felt like I wasn’t completely in sync with the car this year. I hope that next year, we can be much better, much stronger. We made a comeback towards the end of the year. I think the last races were better for us. We have to give credit to Max. I think he had the best season in history and he was exceptional.

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Franz Tost has his opinion on the matter.

For the former Team Principal of AlphaTauri, recently retired, there is no doubt: Max Verstappen is the best driver on the grid and few drivers can hope to do better with an equal car. When asked by F1-Insider.com, Franz Tost replied to the question of whether Perez could confirm his ambitions to do better than Max Verstappen. « No,” he begins in a cutting response. » “If Max continues to have a good car, he will win many more races and titles. He is not yet at his limit and will only improve. No driver who is or will be his teammate will ever surpass the role of number two driver.”

What are the expectations for 2024 and what solutions are there for Sergio Perez’s future?

If beating Max Verstappen over a full season seems like a sweet dream, giving him a hard time in certain Grand Prix must be a primary objective for Sergio Perez. Indeed, the Mexican driver is known for performing well on street circuits.

As a reminder, his five victories at Red Bull were achieved on street circuits. However, he will not have the right to make mistakes like in Monaco last year, where he went off track in the first part of qualifying, ruining his chances of performing well. Consistency and performance on the track will be essential elements for Sergio Perez in 2024.

The Formula E has already expressed its desire to see the Mexican driver arrive in the discipline, through a statement from its president, Alberto Longo: “I am constantly talking to Checo and I hope he will take a leap into real competition,” he said with a smile. “Formula E is his home, the doors are open to him and he is welcome.”

Sergio Perez’s objective will be to perform well alongside Max Verstappen and not be left behind, as he may have been in 2023. He will also have to beat the other drivers and help Red Bull secure another world championship.

His contract with Red Bull expires at the end of the 2024 season. The Mexican will have to prove that he deserves to continue his adventure within the Milton Keynes structure. Especially since the ambitions of other competitors to join Red Bull are strong, as seen with Daniel Ricciardo.