Sergio Perez needs Max Verstappen to have bad luck to win F1 title, says Ralf Schumacher

According to former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher, Sergio Perez’s quest for this year’s World Championship title will require more than just skill; it will rely on “bad luck” befalling his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen.

In the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Perez closed the gap to Verstappen, reducing it to just six points in the race for the Drivers’ Championship. The Mexican driver secured his second victory of the season, benefitting from what Red Bull team principal Christian Horner described as “luck.” Perez’s fortunate timing during a Safety Car period resulted in Verstappen losing two places after making an early pit stop and dropping to third.

Continuing his run of good fortune, Perez claimed pole position in qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix while Verstappen was hampered by a late red flag caused by Charles Leclerc’s crash, relegating the championship leader to ninth place on the grid.

This combination of luck for Perez and misfortune for Verstappen is precisely what Ralf Schumacher believes is necessary for Perez to secure this year’s World Championship title.

“As good as Perez is performing at the moment, I doubt that he can maintain this level throughout the season if Max remains composed,” Schumacher commented to F1-Insider. “Verstappen is currently the best driver in the field, and his team primarily focuses on supporting him.”

Schumacher noted that Perez excels on specific circuits, including Baku, as well as street circuits like Monaco and Singapore. The Mexican driver’s success in Baku was partially attributed to seizing an opportune moment during the race.

“To be honest, Perez doesn’t just need luck to win the World Championship; Verstappen needs to experience some bad luck as well,” Schumacher concluded.

While acknowledging Perez’s talent and recent achievements, Schumacher emphasizes that sustaining such performance over the entire season will be challenging, particularly if Verstappen maintains his consistent form. As the best driver on the grid currently, Verstappen’s ability, coupled with Red Bull’s unwavering support, places him as the primary contender for the title.

As the Formula 1 season progresses, Perez will continue to rely on both his own skills and external factors to maximize his chances of winning the World Championship. Whether fortune continues to favor the Mexican driver or if Verstappen encounters any setbacks will ultimately shape the outcome of this closely contested battle for the championship crown.