Sergio Perez says the last six months have been the most difficult in his entire career in Formula 1, marked by his struggles to overcome the limitations of Red Bull’s RB20 car.
The Mexican driver enjoyed a strong start to his 2024 campaign thanks to a string of podium finishes behind his once again dominant teammate Max Verstappen.
However, as the season progressed, Perez found himself struggling to tame the increasingly problematic RB20, an issue compounded by the fact that Verstappen was initially able to overcome the car’s troubles.
From a car that became increasingly difficult to handle to growing speculation about his future at Red Bull, Perez’s summer became a test of character and resilience.
"This year has been complicated,” he told DAZN. “I think that this year it has been very hard to have a car with the limitations that I have had this season and not being able to express it, right?
“Because your teammate is winning, he is doing very well and you have an increasingly bigger barrier.
"It was hard all summer, I think it was one of my most difficult moments in F1.”
Asked which moment of his F1 career he would erase if given the chance, Perez’s response was revealing.
"Forgetting about these last six months, it has been hard, honestly,” he said.
"Imagine when you have a car that is so limiting that you come to the weekend and you know you can't do anything with it, and the only thing you're thinking is that at any moment you could crash it because you don't have control of it."
Adding insult to injury, the pressure surrounding Perez was intensified by constant rumors that his time at Red Bull might be coming to an end, perhaps as soon as F1’s summer break.
Fortunately, that dire scenario did not come to pass as Red Bull chose to stick with the six-time Grand Prix winner, while over at sister outfit RB, Daniel Ricciardo, once earmarked to replace Perez, has been replaced by Liam Lawson.
"In the end, the issue of the contract was something that people forget,” commented Perez.
“I made a contract just this season, and many times people talk about more, but I wasn't worried, I know where I stand."
While the results have been disappointing, Perez remains determined. Though the car’s issues have limited his ability to compete at the highest level, he continues to fight for his place in Formula 1, knowing that the sport can turn around quickly.
As he looks toward the remainder of the season, Perez hopes to regain his confidence and show why he still belongs in the Red Bull seat.
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