Following the Mexican's victory in Monaco, Red Bull chief Christian Horner went so far as to say that the team does not have a number one driver.
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Despite Sergio Perez’s recent breakthrough in form, ex-Red Bull driver Mark Webber believes Max Verstappen will still beat him this season. Perez has finished no worse than second in all but one of the last six races. In the driver’s rankings, he has passed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, but he is still behind his teammate Verstappen. Following the Mexican’s victory in Monaco, Red Bull chief Christian Horner went so far as to say that the team does not have a number one driver and that whoever was in front would be given priority, which has not been the case in recent years.
Perez and Verstappen have a great friendship, but if Ferrari’s problems persist, it becomes increasingly likely that Perez will be the biggest threat to the Dutchman’s world crown. Webber, who performed a similar role to Perez to Sebastian Vettel during his championship-winning campaigns, knows how to battle his Red Bull teammate. However, the Australian has discounted Perez’s title chances, claiming that over the course of a season, he believes Verstappen would triumph over his teammate.
“Of course he [Perez] is driving brilliantly since these new regulations came out, he’s been genuinely quick, threatening Max in most conditions,” Webber told Channel 4. “I still think that there are circuits where Max will overall have enough firepower to get on top of him.”
But it’s a dream scenario for Red Bull, one they haven’t experienced since Daniel Ricciardo left in 2019. Horner and his team will be anxious to add the Constructors Championship to their trophy cabinet at their Milton Keynes headquarters, which currently houses the Drivers’ Championship. The only way to do that is to have two drivers on the same page, which Verstappen and Perez do. Red Bull, according to Webber, will understand the importance of keeping both drivers competitive in order to prevent Ferrari from passing them.
“Red Bull need him there, they’re racing Ferrari as well, let’s not forget,” Webber remarked. They know they need to keep two horses in this fight because they are racing against two horses.”
