Formula 1: Sergio Perez Opens Up on Mental Struggles Amid Rivalry With Teammate Max Verstappen

• Sergio Perez has struggled for a large part of the 2023 season
• The Red Bull driver started the season as a favourite to clinch the driver's championship
• Perez has opened up on his mental struggles throughout the season

Red Bull's Sergio Perez got off his 2023 Formula 1 season to a blistering start after clinching two victories from the opening four races and being just one point behind his teammate and two-time world champion Max Verstappen.

Following his amazing start to the season, the Mexican driver made clear his intention to compete for the drivers' championship. However, his dream of a title was shortlived following his second-place finish behind teammate Verstappen at the Miami Grand Prix.

Perez's wonderful start to the season plummeted as the 33-year-old failed to make it into Q3 of the subsequent five races. His dip in form was further marred by the incredible drive his teammate Verstappen consistently churned out on every circuit F1 visited.

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The Mexican driver who had himself a race to forget at the Japanese Grand Prix over the weekend, recently spoke about his mental struggles and the challenges of being teammates with Verstappen.

Perez speaks about his mental struggle

Checo as he is fondly called, sat with Dutch outlet De Limburger, where he delved deep into his journey in the 2023 season so far.

"After Miami, things started to get worse for me. He said.

I felt like I was driving another car that didn't suit me so well. Subsequently, it was not possible to get into Q3 a number of times, which shattered my confidence. This also made driving a lot more difficult."

Perez also reflected on being overshadowed by the blistering pace of his teammate and how his dip in form took a toll on his mental well-being.

"I had a lot of trouble with it in the summer. At the beginning, I was up there and competing, but it all changed onwards. I was driving without any confidence. At a certain point, I just couldn't figure it out anymore," he admitted.

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The pressure of driving for a top team like Red Bull Racing, coupled with his personal struggles, led the driver to seek professional help.

"Formula 1 is my sport, my life, my passion. But when you are having such a hard time at work, it is difficult to be cheerful at home with your wife and children.

That's why I hired a mental coach because my family deserves to have that cheerful father at home."

Perez further stated how his resilient nature shone through his challenges.

In conclusion, the Mexican driver shifted focus to his teammate, and he didn't hold back in admitting the most challenging part of his job:

"And of course you have to deal with Max Verstappen as a teammate. The past has proven that this task, that pressure, I sometimes call it: the toughest track in Formula 1."

With six races left to the conclusion of the 2023 season, Perez will hope he can get as many podium finishes as possible and also dead the talks surrounding his immediate future at Red Bull.

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According to reports from Sky Sports F1, the Mexican driver's current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2024 season.

Japanese GP headlined by 'Kiss Me' trophy

Sports Brief stated that the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix was highlighted with cutting-edge innovation from the race title sponsor, Lenovo, following the addition of a distinctively modern trophy referred to as the 'kiss me trophy'.

The trophy is a sleek concept inspired by the design of an F1 car's air intake and the Lenovo logo. What sets it apart is the incorporation of smart technology that comes to life when the driver interacts with it.