Sergio Perez, in his first season with Red Bull after leaving Racing Point, now Aston Martin, ended 2021 with perhaps some regrets, but everyone can agree that it was a good adapting season for him after all.

The victory in Baku, in June, was the highest point of a season in which he conquered another four third places, finishing with 190 points in fourth place in the Drivers' World Championship, respectively behind his teammate, Hamilton and Bottas.

When he was asked by Motorsport.com to describe his first season with Red Bull, he said it was "very intense".

"It's been extremely intensive. A lot of work has been done behind the scenes, a lot of pressure,” he added.

"When you are at Red Bull Racing the pressure is on and everyone is watching you, what you do and you guys are obviously a lot harder to a Red Bull driver, which is very understandable.

"But it hasn't been easy, but it has brought me onto another level, and having Max as a teammate it really pushes you to new levels. I'm enjoying it a lot at this point of my career, I'm very happy, and that's the most important."

Then he commented on his world title winning teammate, spending only positive words for him, and on his overall performance this year, reproaching homself of not being very consistent this year.

"He's really good. He's really at one with the car. He's very good in qualifying, he's really good at the races," he said.

"He's very complete, experienced. I mean, the season he has done I think it's been legend, you know, it's really impressive, and big praise to him. He's really at one with the car."

"When you are out of position and so on... I think the main thing I lacked was consistency to constantly be at 100% with the car."

"I have to raise my game for next year. And yeah, hopefully, we are all able to go forward."

In Abu Dhabi, the Mexican was decisive for his teammate's victory, of both the race and the world title.

Perez sacrificed his qualifying, his race and and an hypothetical podium just to let Max Verstappen win the race and take the title.

When asked if Verstappen's victory was important for him, he replied:

"Honestly it is, because Max has been a great team mate since day one to me, and the team has been fantastic to me. And I was in a position to support my teammate.

"I'm extremely happy for everyone. You know, it's a shame at the end, we didn't get the constructors', but I think it was just a couple of points at the end. And some bad luck here and there. But I look forward to next year."