Red Bull driver Sergio Perez always had a firm grip on street circuits. So, once again, fans expected him to do well in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this year. But as usual, the favorite to win the race was his teammate Max Verstappen. Last year Max won in Baku, too, while Checo came in second. However, Perez won in Baku in 2021. And in recent times, Checo is known as the “King of Street Tracks.” Hence, the Mexican driver very well knew how to get to P1 in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Not many drivers actually feel comfortable in the street circuit of Baku. For instance, Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes team had a tough time since last year. The seven-time champion had bruises, back and neck pain after the race in Baku last year. Mercedes is obviously struggling with their W14 car as well. So, once again, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has not been kind to the German team again. After a P2 finish in Melbourne, fans expected a Grand Prix win here as well. But it was not meant to be. Hamilton finished sixth in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday. But looks like Sergio Perez is more than happy to drive on street tracks. With another win and closing the gap to the current leader and team-mate Max Verstappen, Checo is sure that he will clinch this year’s Formula One World Champion title.
Sergio Perez Keen To Become The New World Champion
F1 team Red Bull Racing is having the time of their lives. They are not giving any team any chance to be their threat by any means whatsoever. By winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Austrian team has ensured they have won the first four races this season. The two Red Bull drivers have won two each. To your surprise, it is Red Bull’s 25th One-Two finish. Moreover, Sergio Perez has become the first driver to win two races in Baku, Azerbaijan. Like in Saudia Arabian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen again came second. Hence, the Mexican is over the moon after closing the 15 points gap between him and his teammate. After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Sergio Perez is mere six points behind his teammate.
Sergio Perez becomes the first driver to win multiple races in Baku 🍾
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) April 30, 2023
Curse broken 🤝 pic.twitter.com/NbMmWaMMYO
As a result, Perez has this inner feeling in his heart that he can become an F1 world champion this year. After the race in Baku, Checo mentioned, “I would not travel the world if I did not want to be a world champion having three children back home.” He had a great weekend in Baku, as he also won the first sprint race. However, Checo did not have a season in his F1 career yet where he won more than a couple of Grands Prix. But with this statement, it is clear that he wants to beat Max to be the new world champion. Looks like Sergio Perez can do what Nico Rosberg did in 2016. But to win the championship, he will need to be consistent throughout the 23 races in a long season. However, the four races have displayed the complete hegemony of Red Bull and its RB19 car. No other team has a chance until they bring some real changes and upgrades to their cars.
Other Teams Need To Buck Up To Make The Season More Thrilling
It is still not over yet for the other contenders like Aston Martin, Ferrari, and even Mercedes. After disappointing early races this season, Charles Leclerc looked promising during the qualifying rounds for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. In the end, the Ferrari driver settled with a P3 finish on Sunday. It is clear that it will be hard to beat Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
But the other teams will have to try. Otherwise, it is just a one-sided affair out of ten teams on the grid. On the other hand, fans had not taken Christian Horner’s comments too well when he mentioned, “Checo got a little lucky with the safety car.” But the Red Bull boss had praised Sergio Perez, too, for a wonderful weekend in Baku, Azerbaijan.
