Perez: Red Bull can pick any driver they want on the grid

The Mexican Formula 1 driver will enter his third season as a Red Bull driver in 2023 alongside double World Champion Max Verstappen.

But with the team signing Daniel Ricciardo as a reserve and third driver, many saw that as threat to Perez's position in the team who notably suffered from a performance slump midseason back in 2022.

However, the 33-year-old from Guadalajara insists he doesn't need to have Ricciardo around to feel extra pressure, as driving for a team like Red Bull means the heat is always on to perform.

Speaking at Red Bull's livery launch of their 2023 F1 car, the RB19, Perez was quizzed by the media on the topic; he responded: "When you are at Red Bull Racing you have got to perform at your best.

"It doesn’t matter whether Daniel is here or not, Red Bull can pick pretty much any driver they want on the grid," the four-time grand prix winner pointed out.

"I think we are very fortunate to have Daniel," Perez went on. "The level of experience that he has, and to be able to have him back at the factory with the engineers – when we are talking about the car he will really understand what we are talking about.

"I think it’s great to have someone like him around and I think on weekends he will be a massive help," he insisted.

Perez missed out on the runner up position in the F1 Drivers' Championship in 2022, and was beaten to it by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc on the final race of that season in Abu Dhabi, but has always insistent that his eyes are always on the big prize, the F1 Championship.

Asked if he can achieve that in 2023; Perez said: "That will be my target and I will try everything I can together with my team to get onto that. I really got a nice break. Now I’m fully recharged and looking forward to this new season.

"I am certainly going to work a lot on the consistency to be able to have a nicer platform, one that can work pretty much on every circuit."

When reminded of the tensions within the team after Verstappen refused to hand over sixth place to him at the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Perez said: "It’s important to work as a team.

"I think in that regard it’s very clear, we want to maximise the team effort. It’s not all about Max and myself, it’s about the team.

"We have so many people back in the factory giving everything for us so we have to respond in that regard. I’m working very hard on my side with the engineers to make sure we are able to go to the next step," the one-time polesitter concluded.