Verstappen has Pérez as trump card against Hamilton in the São Paulo F1 GP

In the last stage of F1 before the São Paulo GP, this Sunday (14), Max Verstappen won in Mexico, but the big one celebrated by the local fans was, obviously, Mexican Sergio Pérez, teammate of the Dutchman at Red Bull, who arrived in third — Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton was second.

Despite not taking the highest place on the podium, the recognition given by fans to the pilot was more than a gesture of patriotism. It also reflected his good performance in F1, especially from the second half of the championship onwards, to the point of being decisive both in the dispute between the teams for the constructors’ title and in helping Verstappen in the fight to be champion.

At 31, the only Latino representative in the main category of world motorsport comes from three consecutive podiums, all in third position (Mexico, USA and Turkey).

In Brazil, his goal is, if possible, to further improve his performance. He has been here nine times and has never been on the podium. His best performance came in 2016, when he started ninth and finished fourth, running for Force India.

“I would like to be on the podium in Brazil. It’s one I don’t know and I’m really looking forward to it. I know I can be on the podium,” stated the Mexican.

If he wins a double with his teammate, dominating first and second place, in addition to being able to close the gap to Valtteri Bottas in the fight for third place at the World Cup, Pérez would further hamper Hamilton’s life, who is 19 points behind the Dutchman (312 .5 to 293.5) —the start of the Brazilian stage is scheduled for 2 pm (Band transmits).

Currently, the second Red Bull driver is fourth, with 165 points, 20 behind Bottas, in a fierce fight for third place in the championship. The difference has been falling in the last stages due to the Finn’s results.

Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes even won the race in Turkey, but then was only 5th in the US and 15th in the last stage, when he started on pole and was involved in an accident on the first lap after allowing the leader of the race. season won its position.

In a year in which Verstappen and Hamilton polarized the disputes for victories, it is the performance of their teammates that intensifies the fight between the teams.

Mercedes and Red Bull arrive in Brazil separated by one point, with an advantage for the Germans: 478.5 to 477.5. Furthermore, at Interlagos, the team sponsored by the energy drink company has already won five times, while the German team has won four.

The Brazilian stage could be decisive for the outcome of the season. And Red Bull emerges as the favorite not only for having won the last race here, in 2019 —there was no race in Brazil in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic—, but for the consistency that the team’s cars have been showing —Verstappen, for example, he won 9 wins and 9 poles against Hamilton’s 5 wins and 3 poles.

Bottas and Pérez, in turn, won one race each, but the Finn has more podiums than his rival, 9 against 5. The difference is mainly because the Mexican took a long time to adapt to his team’s car at the beginning of the season. .

For Christian Horner, the Mexican’s boss, the driver gained greater confidence when he understood the concepts of his vehicle. “It started after the summer break. I think his performances get better and better,” he said.

The pilot himself recognizes that he suffered at the beginning, but already foresees a more competitive season and even fight for the title in 2022.

“In the next four stages I want to be at the height of the best to start next year. I hope Red Bull can have a competitive season like this,” he said.

In the final stretch of the championship, he can gain morale within the team if he manages to help Verstappen take the unprecedented title, in addition to guaranteeing Red Bull the fifth manufacturer’s title.

“We’re in a tight fight with Mercedes, so every point matters. We need to keep this good moment to win the World of Teams”, completes the Mexican.