Ferrari boss Vasseur makes sly 'PROBLEM' dig at Perez
Ferrari boss Vasseur makes sly 'PROBLEM' dig at Perez
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has displayed little sympathy for Sergio Perez as he continues to struggle in Max Verstappen's shadow at Red Bull.
Speculation has mounted this year that Perez may be axed early by the world champions, such is the gulf in class between him and his team-mate, though Christian Horner has insisted that no early changes will be made.
But as Verstappen dominates the rest of the grid in his untouchable RB19, his opposite number has underwhelmed in the same car, particularly in qualifying.
And now, Vasseur has seemingly piled further misery on Perez after claiming that the sheer difference between both Red Bull drivers is a "problem".
READ MORE: Perez speaks out on CONTROVERSIAL departure from team
'Lot of difference' at Red Bull
"Verstappen? It is impossible to divide driver, team and car, it is part of the car's performance," he said.
"When you see the result race by race, there is a lot of difference between the two team-mates. But it's not my problem, it's Red Bull's problem."
Perez has ultimately proven to be a helpful understudy to Verstappen since joining the team in 2021, having contributed to last year's constructors' championship title.
This season, however, he has failed to build on his early two victories in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan and trails Verstappen by a staggering 125 points.
The 33-year-old returned to the podium in Belgium ahead of the summer break and will be targeting a resurgence when Formula 1 returns later this month.
His contract with Red Bull is currently set to run down at the end of next year.
READ MORE: Perez and Ricciardo shunned as Red Bull reveals 'OUTSIDE' drivers could partner Verstappen
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F1 Standings
Drivers
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Nyck De Vries
- Liam Lawson
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Australia 2023
- Grand Prix of China 2023
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
- Miami Grand Prix 2023
- Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
- AWS Gran Premio de España 2023
- Grand Prix du Canada 2023
- Grand Prix of Austria 2023
- Aramco Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Italy 2023
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
- Grand Prix of Japan 2023
- Qatar Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of the United States 2023
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
- Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
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