After a "devastating" home Mexico City Grand Prix, Red Bull veteran Sergio Perez knows he needs to have a very strong Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend and again for the final two races after that to finish second in the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship.
It would be understandable if Perez was still grieving from his lap one, Turn 1 brain fade coupled with over-ambition that ended his race on the spot, turning out to be the biggest sporting party pooper flop of the year for the 400k expectant and passionate F fans urging him on, on Sunday.
The old Ayrton Senna quote "If you don't go for the gap you are not a racing driver" was rolled out as the excuse, even by his uncharacteristically sympathetic Red Bull bosses, who have gone out of their way to make excuses for their veteran driver.
However one could argue, at the same time there has to be a gap before one goes for it. Nevertheless, inevitably in racing "when the flag drops the BS stops " will as usual apply.
With the Sao Paulo Sprint Race weekend up next, this weekend, Perez has no time to dwell on his failure at home but has to rather focus on getting some decent results, so that he is not shown the door at the end of this season
The bullet has yet to be loaded let alone fired, and that wily veteran Fernando Alonso and his cabal have already flung the Spaniard's hat in the ring should it happen. A rumour they say, but who started it? Whatever the case, Perez is under immense pressure.
Perez: Mexico was devastating for me
This time in Brazil, where Perez knows he has to make amends and consolidate that second place in the 2023 F1 WDC, which would be a first for Red Bull. And they seem to covet.
In truth, a one-two in the F1 Drivers' Championship for the Red Bull boys should have been sealed long ago if Perez - who won in Jeddah and Baku - had not 'forgotten' how to drive the best F1 car ever built, which the RB19 is.
In the team's preview, Pérez first touched on his hugely disappointing home race: "Mexico was devastating for me but in this sport these things happen, and you can’t afford to keep going over what could have been.
"I wanted to win my home race more than anything but that is gone now and my full focus is on finishing second in the Championship. We need to have a great weekend in Brazil and I feel confident in our ability to get results right now."
Perez: Brazil is a totally different challenge to Mexico
"It felt like things were coming together last weekend with the direction we are taking," said Checo. "I am more comfortable in the car. The work the Team and I have put in together is paying off in terms of set-up and performance."
"Interlagos is always a fun track and we have two opportunities to score points this weekend, so while Sprint weekends are a challenge on set up, we want to maximise this chance all we can," reckoned Perez.
In the 11 times he has raced at Interlagos, Checo has never finished on the podium there. Last year he finished seventh at the Sao Paulo GP. In 2021 he scored his best finish, fourth place.
With three GPs and a Sprint Race remaining, Red Bull has long ago wrapped up the 2013 F1 Constructors' title, ditto Verstappen with the Drivers' championship. Lying second with 20 points in hand over Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, from Sao Paulo this weekend and beyond, it is up to Perez to deliver.
In closing, while Perez chases his tail, Red Bull have been sparkling servicing him with the fastest outright pit stop at seven of the 19 GPs in the 2023 season; and was the first driver to enjoy an under two seconds pitstop this year.
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