Perez can make statement of intent in Miami

Might 3 (Reuters) – Sergio Perez desires to be thought of a Formulation One title contender and Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix gives the Mexican an opportunity to steer the championship for the primary time and rattle the cage of Purple Bull crew mate Max Verstappen.

A 3rd win in 5 races would elevate 33-year-old Perez above reigning double world champion Verstappen and be fairly a press release of intent.

Verstappen, who has loved an unbroken run on the high of the standings since he gained in Spain on Might 22 final 12 months, has but to complete decrease than second in 2023 and arrives in Florida with a six-point benefit.

The 25-year-old Dutch driver was solely 5 factors away from Perez after 4 races final 12 months however gained in Miami with quickest lap and went on to complete the season 149 factors forward and with 15 victories to his crew mate’s two.

Perez has by no means gained greater than two races in a season however is coming off the again of a double success in Azerbaijan — within the Saturday dash and Sunday’s principal occasion — hoping to construct momentum.

“I actually consider that we’re within the battle,” he stated after the race in Baku.

STREET CIRCUITS

He completed second on Miami’s debut final 12 months and former McLaren crew mate and 2009 world champion Jenson Button reckons the Mexican, who excels on road circuits, can go an extended technique to profitable over the sceptics.

“I am actually impressed with Sergio. Max needs to be the hardest crew mate, as a result of he simply will get on the market and will get it accomplished,” the Briton informed reporters. “If he (Perez) can pull out a win there (in Miami), that might be a large deal for him.

“I feel that can give him large confidence for the season. We’ve not seen him all through the season be as aggressive as Max, Max is on it each weekend and Checo (Perez) has been much more up and down.

“Consistency is the place Sergio has been missing…but when he can do it in Miami, I feel he has an opportunity to battle for the championship,” added the Briton.

“And I did not assume I might be saying that. I actually did not.”

If Button is rooting for Perez, so too are Formulation One neutrals in a season that in any other case dangers changing into one lengthy Verstappen victory parade with Purple Bull at present in a league of their very own.

Purple Bull have gained each grand prix, three of them one-two finishes and their rivals have been left trailing far down the highway.

Formulation One wants an thrilling race after Baku didn’t stay as much as expectations with scant overtaking and little drama, even when Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc did seize pole place and accomplished the rostrum.

Miami can be sizzling and humid and the race, certainly one of three in america now with the arrival of Las Vegas in November piling on the hype, bodily one of the crucial demanding of the season.

Aston Martin, Ferrari and Mercedes will all be hoping to get nearer to Purple Bull whereas Renault-owned Alpine want a robust outcome after drawing blanks in Melbourne and Baku.

Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, enhancing by Ed Osmond

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