David Coulthard says Sergio Perez's F1 future is in his own hands but insists the Mexican needs a big "software update" to rival Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen this season.
Last year, Perez was no match for the Dutchman who stood 15 times on the top step of the podium while the Mexican collected just two race wins – in Monaco and in Singapore - over the course of the season.
Perez also failed to defend his runner-up spot in the Drivers' standings against Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
Overall, Coulthard believes that Perez needs to raise his game significantly and do something different if he ambitions to consistently challenge Verstappen.
"For Checo to look at how many victories Max had and how many he had, it's not like he is just having to polish a few corners. This is a major rewrite, a software update," commented the Scot before a Red Bull show run un Dublin on Sunday.
"If you use the same ingredients in the cake you will get the the same cake. You need to change it if you want something different.
"He has access to the data of the world champion. He can see where he's quicker, where he's slower. Checo will be quicker in some areas. It's just Max is putting it all together more often than not.
"All the knowledge is there for Checo to lift his performance. If he does then the world championship is there for him to put his hand on.
"If he doesn't, then he will be another driver, like myself, that won a few grands prix."
Indeed, Coulthard equated Perez's situation to a position in which he once found himself in the latter part of his F1 career.
"Having been in a similar situation to Sergio where I was up against Mika and Kimi, you just have to leave no stone unturned," Coulthard added.
"You do physical training but the only way he can improve his qualifying speed is in the car or in the simulator.
"In nine years at McLaren, I did every test and never missed a race, even when I felt terrible, even when I felt like I was going to be sick after testing, because I knew the minute I let the test driver get in the car it became an opportunity to show how good he was.
"If I don't let him get in the car he can talk all day long. You have to defend your territory."
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