• Classification Fernando Alonso survives his first problems in the Baku classification

Max Verstappen, Max Verstappen, Max Verstappen. Since he arrived at Red Bull, most questions to Sergio 'Checo' Pérez (Guadalajara, Mexico, 1990) revolve around his teammate, the current Formula 1 champion, and that is why before the microphones he puts himself in profile. The role of squire makes him uncomfortable, but the only way to get rid of it is to win the World Cup. "I'm here to be champion, that's my goal. Maintaining a good relationship with the team is important, but there will be a time when I have to think about being me and getting the best result, "he says from Baku in a video call conversation with EL MUNDO and two Mexican media in which he also talks about his future or Fernando Alonso.

This Saturday, the first sprint race of the year. Be honest: Does it provoke emotion and fear? It's a different challenge and it's a parent to have this kind of challenge. Such a race is less predictable and the driver can make more of a difference. Throughout his career, in Baku he has celebrated one victory and two podiums, the first with a Force India. Why is he good at this circuit? Here you must have a lot of confidence in your car and I have had it at various times. The statistics say that street circuits are good for me, but statistics don't make you go faster. Do Red Bull have more advantage this year than last year? We've seen it here [Charles Leclerc took pole on Friday] and we saw it in Australia: in qualifying we don't take pole if we don't make a single mistake. In the race we have more margin, but not much either. Our rivals can cut us distance with any improvement. GIUSEPPE CACACEAFP What does he need to overcome Verstappen? Be perfect. Against him I cannot leave anything on the table. Max always maximizes the potential of the car, if I go to 99.99% it will not be enough. For me this season is a very big opportunity and I face it like that. I feel closer than ever. Every year is one year less, I keep in mind that I am closer to the end of my career than the beginning.What do you think I need to improve to take advantage of this opportunity? Without a doubt, consistency. I have to be at my best level in all races. Last year I struggled to understand the degradation with these new generation Pirelli tyres and now I have that very much in mind. Also last year changed a lot the weight distribution of the car and that did not benefit me.Would finishing third, like last year, be a failure this time? It doesn't even cross my mind to finish below my current position [second]. I have not considered it. If I thought about finishing third or fourth I would leave Formula 1, go home and look for another job.

Alonso and his Aston Martin

He was a driver for Racing Point, what is now Aston Martin. What do you think of Fernando Alonso's start to the season? It's amazing. I'm very happy for the team, because I was there recently and I still know a lot of people. Lawrence's ambition [Stroll, the owner] is great. And I'm also happy for Fernando, he already had a competitive car. Choose a virtue of Alonso.Ir always to the maximum. It seems easy, but there are very few pilots who can do it. Will he drive at 41 like him? No, no, I'm 32. [33, they warn you] 33? 33, of course! I don't even remember my age anymore. Well, imagine: no, I won't be here at 41. I have three children, I want to see them grow up and Formula 1 requires a lot of your time. In Saudi Arabia, he joked that Aston Martin is a Red Bull painted green. With coaches like Dan Fallows moving from one team to another... How much inspiration do you really think there has been in designing Aston Martin? Much. In the end all the information they have taken from Red Bull is valid. It is something that has always happened, in all times, and it is not a surprise.Do you think Fernando Alonso is Red Bull's main rival? The Ferraris are very strong, I'm worried about their level of efficiency. It's early, the season has just started, but together with them Fernando will undoubtedly be one of the closest to us. If we look at his evolution last season it is clear that he will be there. In the next six Sundays there will be five races. How have you prepared for such a marathon? In the factory, with a lot of work in the simulator, and also resting. I have tried to be calm to face these weeks. Now it is super important to keep viruses away and avoid any physical mishaps.

  • Fernando Alonso
  • Sergio Perez
  • Red Bull Racing
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