Racing alongside Max Verstappen is a daunting prospect for any team mate, Sergio Perez has acknowledged.
The Dutch driver - who clinched his second driver's world championship last month - has seen off a number of talented team mates over the years.
He made his Formula 1 race debut in 2015 in Australia, driving for the Toro Rosso team where he was paired with Carlos Sainz. The following season he was promoted to the Red Bull and immediately claimed his maiden win in Spain.
Verstappen's star rose quickly, leading to Daniel Ricciardo's exit at the end of 2018. Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon had short-lived tenures in the line-up before Red Bull turned to the experienced Perez to partner Verstappen in 2021.
“It’s a great challenge to be his teammate,” Perez told the media last week. “Max is operating at a very high level from FP1 through the whole weekend.
"Obviously, it is not an easy task. I don’t believe there’s anyone that can come and just beat him straightaway. He’s very solid with the team," Perez explained. "He’s been here a while!"
Since joining the team, Perez has won three Grand Prix races and claimed his maiden pole in Saudi Arabia earlier this year. By comparison, Verstappen has just clinched a record 14th victory of the season.
Red Bull team principal declared Perez' most recent victory in Singapore to be "world class". Since then he's been on the podium twice more including most recently at his home race in Mexico.
While he's vying for the runner's up position with ferrari's Charles Leclerc in the drivers championship, Perez is a long way behind Verstappen in the points standings.
So what will it take for Perez to get into serious contention for the title in 2023 with Verstappen in such dominant form?
"I think the lesson from this year is that, you know, it’s been a great year as a team,” Perez suggested in Mexico, as reported by MotorsportWeek.com and RacingNews365.com.
"I think I’m just getting closer with the year, so I will give it another shot for next year and see what happens," he said. "Just had a little learning and trying to beat him and trying to do the stuff he is doing.
“I do need to step up a bit my race pace, mainly, where last year it was more the qualifying, I think.
The introduction of new rules and regulations leading to a significant overhaul of the cars has also had an impact on Perez in 2022. “With these cars you are able to race a lot closer," he acknowledged.
"I think we need to step up that race pace. The understanding with the team, with the car, I think that has come better in the last few races.”
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