Checo Perez: I’m here to be champion, I feel closer than ever to Verstappen

Sergio Perez gave an interesting interview to El Mundo journalist Javier Sanchez, in which he discussed his relationship with other drivers such as Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso, and also analysed what he expects from this season.

The first thing Checo talks about is his big goal for this season. There is a lot of controversy about the role of his team and his relationship with Verstappen, but the Mexican is in no doubt: “I’m here to be champion, that’s my goal.

Maintaining a good relationship with the team is important, but there will be a moment when I have to think about being me and getting the best result.” Perez is emphatic when asked what he needs to do to overtake Verstappen this season.

And what he has to say goes without saying: “Be perfect. Against him I can’t leave anything on the table. Max always maximises the potential of the car, if I go 99.99% it won’t be enough. For me this season is a very big opportunity and that’s how I look at it. I feel closer than ever. Every year is one year less, I’m aware that I’m closer to the end of my career than the beginning.”

Checo shows that he has studied everything and knows what he needs to improve to try to win the World Championship. He says: “Without a doubt, consistency. I have to be at my best in every race. Last year I struggled to understand the degradation with these new generation Pirelli tyres and now I’m very aware of it. Also last year the weight distribution of the car changed a lot and that didn’t benefit me.”