Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is at a loss to explain the significant performance difference between Red Bull Racing teammates Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, which amounted to a staggering 1.3 seconds after qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix.
The phenomenon of teammates struggling to match the performance level of Verstappen is a recurring trend, with Perez being the latest driver to experience it. Despite starting the season with talks of a potential title challenge in 2023, Perez has seen Verstappen pull ahead both in terms of points and overall performance extracted from the Red Bull RB19.
At the conclusion of Q3 in qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen secured pole position for his home race, while Perez found himself starting from P7 after qualifying a significant 1.3 seconds behind his teammate.
Wolff expressed his astonishment at the gap between the two teammates, particularly considering that Perez is a multiple-time grand prix winner with a successful racing history. He described the gap as “odd” and “bizarre,” emphasizing that Perez is an accomplished driver and not someone who lacks skill or experience.
Wolff further pointed out that Verstappen has consistently outperformed every teammate he’s had, suggesting that his ability to tailor a car to his preferences and handle its nuances while maintaining high speed is one of the factors contributing to the performance gap.
Verstappen, on the other hand, emphasized that being a fast driver alone is not sufficient to succeed in Formula One. He highlighted the importance of handling pressure, maintaining consistency, and avoiding mistakes, especially when competing at a high level. Verstappen emphasized that dealing with these various aspects while being under pressure constitutes a critical aspect of championship contention.
Verstappen secured pole position for the Dutch Grand Prix by going more than half a second faster than his nearest competitor, McLaren’s Lando Norris. With his victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 125 points over Perez, as he aims to match Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive wins by emerging victorious on his home turf.
George Russell, driving for the Mercedes team led by Wolff, will start from P3 on the grid in the Dutch Grand Prix.
