Excellent suggestion. To go further we (Ross) would need a more in-depth understanding of Checo's personality than is available to fans. Note also that Max has his father to act as a buffer with Marko, whereas Checo is on his own.
Marko's role at RBR says something important about the organization and its parent. Remember that the F1 team started small, threw dance parties and published a tongue-in-cheek newsletter on current affairs at F1 at every race. It appears that as the team achieved more success, someone at the drinks company decided they had to grow up, meaning give up the light-hearted style (and the more emphatetic and compassionate persona which was implied) to focus on "results by whatever means." Marko appears to be the heavy hand brought in by Red Bull (the company) to say "Stop this foolish behavior." Let's speculate on what would have happened if Adrian Newey had not joined the team. Without a superior car, the team could well have imploded under the pressure, as lackluster results lead to a loss of support from the parent company (witness the current situation at Alpine for example).
Agree 100%. Especially about the Toxic Marko. He has destroyed so many up and coming drivers with his method of berating a driver to " Harden " them up. It's an " Old School " method and doen't work anymore.
Checo is a solid #2 with steady hands that can bring home a lot Points. And the occassional win. But he's too " Nice " to be a World Champion.
I remember Virginia Williams mentioning " Bad Boys " in an Motorsport Racing article decades ago. Up and coming Williams drivers often boarded at the Williams family home. The Championship " Material" always seemed to have an " Edge " about them and were very self focused. Frankly ( no pun intended ) most were little Brats. If they made their beds and never Partied late, they never became Champions, was one remark I recall she made. Apparently this " Litmus Test " of hers never failed.... LOL
Interesting article. Made me think about why I was a Checo fan in the first place.
Remember his performance at Racing Point in 2020? He would make his tyres last as long as he chose, pit when when he was strong and was always calmly holding his position when the commotion died away.
Then in 2021 Riciardo and Perez moved to teams that were on the up. Riciardo didn't get the results he wanted in the first couple of races and went into the death spiral you describe in the article. Meanwhile, Perez did what Perez does best, didn't get flustered and was on the top step of the podium by race 5.
Here's to hoping that Helmut Marko or Perez subscribe to Speed Secrets and we get to see the Perez we love after the summer break.
Aug 4, 2023·edited Aug 4, 2023Liked by Ross Bentley
Isn't Red Bull happy to be "One-Two" in points and well on their way to the Manufacturer's Championship? Somebody's got to be Number Two. Don't y'all think Max would be their choice of #1 with all of the fans he brings to every race? All of the McLaren and Norris/Piastri fans just blend in and are lost within the sea of orange at each weekend. I don't really see a problem for Checo, once he finally acclimates to being 2nd banana, and Red Bull would be foolish to not bring him along as such -- Max is in a league by himself.
PS -- I get and appreciate Ross writing on this topic -- he's just trying to get the rest of us think (and drive/compete) like elite athletes. Thanks, Ross!
Very thoughtful piece. Many of us are quick to dump on the poor guy when he’s going through a rough patch, but I like the points you bring up on his past success and how to get him back there.
Perez Perez Perez, just be yourself man, you are one of the best drivers in the world, enjoy that! Not easy to do when there is so much at stake and the forces against you are coming from all directions, Max, Marko, F1, 6 ready to take your seat, etc etc. As you have told us so often Ross, focus on the job, and having fun. Driving a Formula 1 car looks to be nearby impossible, not sure how anyone can do it much less at the level these guys manage. Talk about balancing on a knife edge!!! Did Checo ever imagine winning a world championship, who knows but I doubt it, and guess what, it's still not likely unless Max takes up tennis. The "breakfast" with Christian a few weeks back must have helped, I can imagine he made all the reasurances and focus comments you did Ross. Good luck Checo, you don't have anything to prove, there are few in the world that can do what you do and while we can all appreciate you would like to win a world championship, you might not, go have fun and drive fast.
I think Perez is demoralized, by team management and by the pressure of trying to keep up with Max. The pressure must be enormous, and knowing that his teammate is unstoppable right now makes it even more difficult to cope with.
Excellent suggestion. To go further we (Ross) would need a more in-depth understanding of Checo's personality than is available to fans. Note also that Max has his father to act as a buffer with Marko, whereas Checo is on his own.
Marko's role at RBR says something important about the organization and its parent. Remember that the F1 team started small, threw dance parties and published a tongue-in-cheek newsletter on current affairs at F1 at every race. It appears that as the team achieved more success, someone at the drinks company decided they had to grow up, meaning give up the light-hearted style (and the more emphatetic and compassionate persona which was implied) to focus on "results by whatever means." Marko appears to be the heavy hand brought in by Red Bull (the company) to say "Stop this foolish behavior." Let's speculate on what would have happened if Adrian Newey had not joined the team. Without a superior car, the team could well have imploded under the pressure, as lackluster results lead to a loss of support from the parent company (witness the current situation at Alpine for example).
Agree 100%. Especially about the Toxic Marko. He has destroyed so many up and coming drivers with his method of berating a driver to " Harden " them up. It's an " Old School " method and doen't work anymore.
Checo is a solid #2 with steady hands that can bring home a lot Points. And the occassional win. But he's too " Nice " to be a World Champion.
I remember Virginia Williams mentioning " Bad Boys " in an Motorsport Racing article decades ago. Up and coming Williams drivers often boarded at the Williams family home. The Championship " Material" always seemed to have an " Edge " about them and were very self focused. Frankly ( no pun intended ) most were little Brats. If they made their beds and never Partied late, they never became Champions, was one remark I recall she made. Apparently this " Litmus Test " of hers never failed.... LOL
Interesting article. Made me think about why I was a Checo fan in the first place.
Remember his performance at Racing Point in 2020? He would make his tyres last as long as he chose, pit when when he was strong and was always calmly holding his position when the commotion died away.
Then in 2021 Riciardo and Perez moved to teams that were on the up. Riciardo didn't get the results he wanted in the first couple of races and went into the death spiral you describe in the article. Meanwhile, Perez did what Perez does best, didn't get flustered and was on the top step of the podium by race 5.
Here's to hoping that Helmut Marko or Perez subscribe to Speed Secrets and we get to see the Perez we love after the summer break.
Isn't Red Bull happy to be "One-Two" in points and well on their way to the Manufacturer's Championship? Somebody's got to be Number Two. Don't y'all think Max would be their choice of #1 with all of the fans he brings to every race? All of the McLaren and Norris/Piastri fans just blend in and are lost within the sea of orange at each weekend. I don't really see a problem for Checo, once he finally acclimates to being 2nd banana, and Red Bull would be foolish to not bring him along as such -- Max is in a league by himself.
PS -- I get and appreciate Ross writing on this topic -- he's just trying to get the rest of us think (and drive/compete) like elite athletes. Thanks, Ross!
And yes you are quite funny Ross, "is Checo "MAX-ed" out? Totally hilarious....
Very thoughtful piece. Many of us are quick to dump on the poor guy when he’s going through a rough patch, but I like the points you bring up on his past success and how to get him back there.
Don't think of a pink elephant.
Perez Perez Perez, just be yourself man, you are one of the best drivers in the world, enjoy that! Not easy to do when there is so much at stake and the forces against you are coming from all directions, Max, Marko, F1, 6 ready to take your seat, etc etc. As you have told us so often Ross, focus on the job, and having fun. Driving a Formula 1 car looks to be nearby impossible, not sure how anyone can do it much less at the level these guys manage. Talk about balancing on a knife edge!!! Did Checo ever imagine winning a world championship, who knows but I doubt it, and guess what, it's still not likely unless Max takes up tennis. The "breakfast" with Christian a few weeks back must have helped, I can imagine he made all the reasurances and focus comments you did Ross. Good luck Checo, you don't have anything to prove, there are few in the world that can do what you do and while we can all appreciate you would like to win a world championship, you might not, go have fun and drive fast.
And, if you're reading this Checo, when Max's mum starts to abuse you again, you're back on track!
I think Perez is demoralized, by team management and by the pressure of trying to keep up with Max. The pressure must be enormous, and knowing that his teammate is unstoppable right now makes it even more difficult to cope with.