Sergio Perez Highlights Max Verstappen Critical Struggles in Sao Paulo GP 2023

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Sergio Perez of Cadillac has detailed the internal dynamics with Max Verstappen during the 2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Oracle Red Bull Racing, outlining a critical weakness that surfaces when circumstances do not go to plan.

Across four seasons alongside Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez described how Verstappen transforms inside the car, driven by extreme competitive intensity that delivers performance but also creates friction when control slips. Perez explained that Verstappen struggles to manage moments when strategy, traffic, or race flow moves against him, a trait that can complicate two car operations at the sharp end of the grid.

Speaking in a recent interview, Perez underlined that Verstappen is a strong technical and psychological leader, but that the same character produces instability under pressure. He noted that when outcomes do not match expectations, Verstappen becomes harder to work with, which directly affects how Formula 1 teams execute split strategies and manage priority between their two drivers under the leadership of Christian Horner.

The clearest illustration came at Interlagos in 2023, when Verstappen refused a team instruction that would have aided Perez in his fight for second in the drivers standings. Although Verstappen had already secured the world title, the incident exposed how individual race psychology can override collective objectives, reducing strategic flexibility for Oracle Red Bull Racing in a crucial phase of the championship.

From a championship perspective, the refusal cost Perez valuable points against his main rival, highlighting how internal tension can influence outcomes even within the most dominant car on the grid. While Verstappen went on to extend his statistical dominance, Red Bull were forced to absorb the strategic consequences of a driver dynamic that prioritised control over compromise.

Perez’s assessment offers a rare insight into how modern F1 dominance is not only built on speed and engineering, but also on the management of competitive personalities. As teams prepare for future seasons, understanding how drivers respond when control is challenged will remain central to maintaining championship stability, with further analysis available at https://sportrik.com.