Helmut Marko praised the performance of Checo Pérez at the start of the 2023 season (Photo: Getty Images)
After having consolidated his best season throughout his time in Formula 1, Sergio Pérez started his journey in the 2023 campaign with good impressions. At the Bahrain Grand Prix he managed to start from the front row together with his teammate and took second place. Thanks to this, he earned the praise of Helmut Marko.
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Contrary to the opinion issued by Red Bull Racing’s adviser over the course of last season, feedback on Checo Pérez’s performance in 2023 has been favourable. In his most recent intervention, for the Formel1.de medium, Marko stated that he has noticed a favorable performance while recognizing his good adaptation since his arrival in the Austrian team.
“Checo has survived two seasons very well together with Max (Verstappen). He finished third in the championship last year, with two wins at very difficult Grands Prix like Singapore and Monaco. He has progressed and has integrated well into the team, ”he declared to the media outlet.
Czech was second place in the Bahrain GP (REUTERS / Hamad I Mohammed)
Regarding his most recent participation in the circuits, Marko highlighted some aspects that, from his point of view, Checo Pérez has managed to improve compared to last season. And it is that in the Bahrain Grand Prix he showed a solid display in the qualifying round, as well as better communication with his teammate.
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“He is more in tune with Verstappen in the adjustments and he has become more hard-working. Above all, he has eradicated his weak point of ratings a bit. So for now there is nothing to say against Checo (Pérez) ”, he clarified.
On March 5, inside the Bahrain International Circuit, Sergio Pérez was able to accumulate his first 18 points by reaching the finish line in second position. In addition to benefiting from the result, both he and his teammate managed to break a negative trend, since last year they were forced to retire before the end.
Sergio Pérez and Max Versappen led the first race of the season (REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed)
In addition, having consolidated the one-two in the first race of the season, they also took a step forward to endorse their current title in the Constructors’ World Championship. With 43 units they managed to lead the contest that rewards the best team. In second place was Aston Martin with 23, followed by Mercedes. Ferrari, the current runner-up, is in fourth position.
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After the stop that Formula 1 made in Bahrain, it will continue its schedule at the Jeddah Corniche circuit for the Arabian Grand Prix. On said track, the previous year, Checo Pérez managed to finish his first race of the year, although he did so in fourth place behind Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr.
For the commitment, Sergio Pérez could enjoy a certain advantage due to the delay in the starting position of one of the members of Ferrari. Charles Leclerc notified the change of the control unit of his car, which is why the International Automobile Federation (FIA) sanctioned him with 10 places in the starting position. In this sense, the hope of victory at Ferrari will rest with Carlos Sainz.
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