Sergio Perez believes he has left behind the most complicated period of his recent Formula 1 career. The Mexican stated that he continues to be one of the best drivers on the grid and believes that his current performances demonstrate that the problems faced at Red Bull Racing did not reflect his true potential.
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Despite still competing with a car that does not allow him to regularly fight for points, Perez views his return season positively. Even after retiring from the Canadian GP, he believes that recent performances show that his speed remains intact.
Speaking before the Monaco GP, the Cadillac driver admitted that his last few months at Red Bull created a mistaken perception of his performance level. According to him, those who understand the circumstances of that period can comprehend that the results did not tell the whole story: “When you look at my last six months at Red Bull, you don’t think I’m one of the best out there. But when you understand the circumstances I was in and see the level of performance I’m delivering with my team now, you realize I’m still one of the best,” he stated.
Perez also emphasized that a driver needs the right conditions to show their talent. For him, returning to the category and proving it to himself was fundamental: “I am very pleased to have come back and proven it to myself. Ultimately, it’s a matter of confidence as a driver.”
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The Mexican also acknowledged that the difficult phase at Red Bull shook his confidence. According to him, constant problems raised doubts about his own ability, but this feeling quickly disappeared when he returned to driving: “It affects your confidence when you face difficulties like the ones I had. When I got into the Ferrari and was already competitive after about ten laps without having driven anything before, I thought it was probably the circumstances I was experiencing,” he said.
Analyzing his most recent performances, Perez stated that the results in qualifying sessions and race pace reinforce his conviction that speed has always been present: “In the last three or four races, the level of performance I’ve been able to show makes me feel that the speed has always been there. There are many circumstances that a driver does not control when facing so many different problems,” he commented.
The Mexican driver believes that his experience can serve as an example for other competitors who are going through similar moments: “Sometimes you start to think that you are the problem or that you are no longer as good as you once were. But everything depends on the circumstances around you,” he added. Asked if the observation could be applied to other drivers who have been through Red Bull Racing, Perez preferred to end the matter with good humor: “Exactly. Let’s skip that question now,” he concluded.
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