By Joe Murphy
Red Bull boss Helmut Marko has labelled Sergio Perez as “not the best driver in qualifying”, following the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix. Max won his month race in a row as the Mexican failed to even score a podium, following a late penalty for speeding in the pitlane.
It is no secret that Max Verstappen is the number one driver at Red Bull. His talent and track record warrant the push he has been getting and the soon-to-be three time World Champion has been in ominous form this season.
However, as illustrated once again this last weekend, Red Bull seem to favour Max, even when it isn’t best for the team.
On a variable track, Checo led Max when the dry tyres started to become the prime option again. Instead of boxing the leader as is usual protocol, Red Bull brought the Dutch driver in and cost Checo around ten seconds and, subsequently, he fell back a place.
This was one of a number of decisions that have gone against Checo. It was confirmed that the drivers didn’t make the call, it was the team. You could hear the disappointment but only slight surprise in Checo’s desperate radio message; “did he undercut us?”
This isn’t an anomaly, however. Red Bull have been solely behind Max ever since Daniel Ricciardo left. Let me be clear this decision has worked and paid dividends with the constructors and drivers championships coming back to the team last year after a near-decade hiatus. However, it has come at the detriment of other drivers. Gasly, Albon and now Checo have all seen their stock fall from their time at the team. Subsequent results from Albon and Gasly (the latter with a race win and additional podiums including the most recent outing), show the drivers don’t lack capability. It just appears as if putting all your eggs in the Verstappen basket does negatively impact the other driver in a way that we don’t see at any other team, probably since Bottas at Mercedes.
The problem is Checo is the one at risk is losing a seat in the not so distant future. Ricciardo is waiting in the wings having expressed a desire to return to the team. Moreover, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson could be good options because you’d imagine both would be happy to play second fiddle.
It’s just a shame for Checo that he can’t legitimately challenge Max across a season.
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