F1 | Perez: "I am here because I fully believe that I can be a World Champion."
A confident Sergio Perez told The Edge podcast that enjoyment of racing is now the order of the day. Great news for a man who has faced so much uncertainty in the past since making his debut in the pinnacle of motorsport back in 2011.
Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez told The Edge podcast (run by team sponsor TAG-Heuer) that in 2022 he aims to be battling for the F1 Drivers’ World Championship. The much-loved Mexican racer also explained how enjoyment of racing is now the order of the day for a man who has faced so much uncertainty in the past since making his debut in the pinnacle of motorsport back in 2011.
The role Sergio Perez played at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which resulted in Max Verstappen claiming a maiden F1 Drivers’ Championship cannot be understated. Described on team radio by his teammate as ‘a legend’ for holding Sir Lewis Hamilton up enough to allow the Dutchman to claw back the gap - showed the value Perez has.
Red Bull Racing had already extended his contract long before this moment under the lights in Abu Dhabi, which shows how highly he is respected at the Milton Keynes based racing outfit. Speaking to The Edge podcast, Perez made clear his intention for more success in 2022 and maybe even the ultimate success in F1.
"I am here because I fully believe that I can be a World Champion and because I enjoy working with my team, and that's it. I'm very thankful to Red Bull for extending my contract…I want to be in the fight for the Drivers' Championship"
Such an attitude is great to hear but also in the podcast, whilst reflecting on a momentous podium at the Mexican Grand Prix, the 31-year-old revealed that he would likely have "ended my career in Formula 1" had Red Bull Racing not called on him and given him a 2021 race seat replacing Alex Albon.
“That was a very nice moment for myself and for my career because I had all of the people that had been with me since day one…And you cannot forget the fact that in November 2020, I didn’t have a drive. I would probably have ended my career in Formula 1 if Red Bull didn’t give me the opportunity. Just to have all my fans, my crowd, my family, all of the people that had been with me since day one, Carlos Slim, the main supporter of my career since day one, gave me the trophy so it was very unique and a very special moment for both of us.” Perez explained.
The mindset of the Mexican racer was also clear as when commenting on his P3 in Mexico he remarked “It was great but it is not enough. I want to win my home grand prix one day.”
Having made his Formula One debut in 2011 and had a baptism by fire at McLaren in 2013, expectation of home Grand Prix wins would not have been a realistic prospect for the man more often found in the midfield. Now, after a career which saw administration at Force India and the prospect of unemployment after being dropped from Racing Point at the end 2020, a relaxed Sergio Perez is focusing on enjoying his racing and Red Bull Racing seems to be perfect for him.
"I really enjoy working with the team, to be honest," Perez told The Edge podcast "With the group of people, with engineers, with the Red Bull culture, with the brand itself, as it's a huge brand.”
These revelations were made to a podcast run by one of the team’s sponsors and such commitments, which come from racing at the front, were not lost on Perez.
"It is a lot of work, relative to what I was used to at other teams. Red Bull is a massive brand, but I enjoy [it]. I really feel great as part of it. I'm working great with Max, with the race engineers, with all the team in general."
"You have a lot of commitments [as part of Red Bull brand]; we have a lot of partners…Therefore, it keeps you busy, as a driver. But also, on the track, you normally fight for the World Championship. If not, you're trying to. So off track and on track, it's a lot of work, it's a lot of demand, you're in the spotlight all the time. That makes it very, very intense compared to a team that, let's say, is not fighting for the World Championship, or is not a big brand like Red Bull is. So that makes it more challenging."
A challenge which Sergio Perez clearly performs well in. However, at the end of the day, for a man regarded as a veteran on track, it is clear what his motivation is for continuing – however long that may be.
"I think, to me, at this stage I am in my career, the most important thing is that I enjoy it," Perez explained. "At the time that I don't enjoy it, it's the time I have to go home, because I don't need to be here anymore.”
Formula One certainly needs Sergio Perez. A man, who has already inspired millions of people within its global fanbase, would have a huge amount of support if consistently battling at the front. Whether Max Verstappen labelled Perez a legend and if we were to witness encounters in 2022 which saw the two go wheel to wheel on track, that would certainly be - a legendary season.
