Felipe Massa says ‘great’ 34-year-old driver he loves is in a really difficult situation now

Follow us on Google Discover

Felipe Massa has shared how much he admires Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez but admits he’s in a really tough position right now.

Heading into the season opener in Bahrain, Sergio Perez almost certainly has the fastest car on the grid, but also the quickest teammate in Formula 1.

Speaking to MARCA, Felipe Massa has shared his thoughts on the 34-year-old Mexican star.

Massa worried about Perez’s Red Bull situation

The pressure is already on Sergio Perez and the cars haven’t even taken to the track for the first free practice session of the season.

The 34-year-old’s contract expires at the end of 2024 and there’s no shortage of drivers that want to replace.

Daniel Ricciardo has admitted that it’s his dream to finish his career alongside Max Verstappen, while Yuki Tsunoda wants to be considered as well.

Then there’s Carlos Sainz who will be a free agent at the end of the year and has previous connections to the team.

It means that Perez knows he needs to perform despite finishing as runner-up in the 2023 season.

Massa sympathises with Perez and highlights that his situation at Red Bull will be difficult to deal with.

It will be interesting to see if he can regularly challenge Verstappen this year or if the Dutchman is once again going to leave him behind.

2024 a make-or-break year for Perez

Speaking about the Mexican, Massa said: “Sergio Pérez is a great driver, but the situation is not easy at Red Bull.

“Not only for him, but also for anyone who is there competing with Max [Verstappen]. He is at a higher level.

“Verstappen is just doing a perfect job. So, I think it won’t be easy for Sergio, definitely.

“But it won’t be easy for anyone to compete against Max at the moment, especially at Red Bull, whatever partner you have.”

Perez would likely agree with Massa that competing with Verstappen at Red Bull is incredibly difficult.

He’s suggested a new contract with the team isn’t a priority and maybe he would enjoy a stint in another team where there’s less pressure on him.

The downside of that is that he’d be much less likely to win races, but his best displays in Formula 1 came in his final season with Racing Point.

Under less pressure he thrives, but if he moves on, Red Bull suddenly have to try and find another teammate for the unstoppable Dutchman.