Red Bull believes their current car suits Sergio Perez more than last year's machine which has helped him get on terms with Max Verstappen.

The Mexican has performed admirably so far in 2022 taking his maiden Monaco Grand Prix victory and his first pole position in Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

Perez now sits third in the Drivers’ Standings just 15 points behind Verstappen who leads the championship. This is a drastic improvement over last year where he was amongst the also-rans at times in 2021.

Prior to his memorable Monaco win he impressed Red Bull who offered him a two-year contract extension which would keep him at Milton Keynes until 2024. 

Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan heaped praise on Perez and explained that the 2022 car suits the Mexican more than last years RB16B.

Monaghan said: “Checo is driving extremely well this year, and he does find the car is not always to his liking but it's one that he can drive.”

"I find it interesting that Max... he can drive the thing. Goodness me, he really can. And the likes and dislikes, that's a typical ebb and flow you will see between teammates.

"I think last year's car, don't forget that we were coming to the end of a set of regulations which had evolved, and we'd evolved with Max. And then Checo got in and, as a teammate to Max, we couldn't have asked for better, could we?”

The Briton also suggested that Perez can match Verstappen’s pace throughout a grand prix weekend but the 24-year-old can extract slightly more lap time in the final stages of Qualifying.

"I wouldn't say it is particularly difficult car, I wouldn't say it's an easy car. And at the moment the ebb and flow is that Checo is very with it and likes it.

"Would Max come to the same point of settlement? Yes, he might do slightly later in the weekend. Will he complain after the race win or lose or whatever? Complain is the wrong word, will he have his usual constructive criticism? Yes, of course he will. I think we should expect that from both of them.

"I don't know if one is more comfortable than the other. I think Max is driving as well as I've ever seen him drive. We'll see what happens towards the end of the year.”