Journalist thinks ‘bang ordinary’ F1 driver isn’t close to getting the best out of his car right now

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It was another disappointing weekend for Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez in Qatar.

Speaking on the F1 Nation Podcast, journalist Tom Clarkson questioned the Mexican’s recent performances.

Red Bull had plenty of reasons to celebrate at the Lusail Circuit last weekend.

A pole position for Max Verstappen on Friday was followed up by the Dutch driver winning his third Drivers’ Championship.

He required a sixth-place finish to guarantee victory over Sergio Perez but the 33-year-old didn’t even reach the chequered flag.

A collision with Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg ended all three drivers’ chances of scoring points.

In two qualifying sessions, Perez recorded 13^th and 8^th place finishes, which is simply not good enough in the fastest car on the grid.

He could only record an 11^th place finish on Sunday but was promoted one place due to Lance Stroll’s penalties.

Perez once again underperformed in Qatar and is struggling to get anything out of an incredible Red Bull car.

While his seat is confirmed for 2024, it feels like the pressure is already building on the experienced Mexican.

Red Bull star Perez struggles in Qatar

Speaking about the 33-year-old’s performance, Tom Clarkson said: “When you look at what Sergio Perez is doing in that car, it looks bang ordinary actually.

“It looks no better than any of the other top four cars on the grid.

“But in the hands of Max Verstappen, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a car and driver in such harmony in what we’re seeing between Max and that RB19.

Fellow journalist Sam Power countered: “I think you’d have to go back to the [Michael] Schumacher days, 2004, I mean you could argue you had it to a degree with Seb [Vettel].

“Particularly that lap in Japan he did a couple of Grand Prix ago.”

Clarkson concluded: “I’m sorry to interrupt you, but going back to 2004, Rubens Barrichello did on occasion light it up and present a challenge to Schumacher back then.

“Whereas this is completely one-sided here at Red Bull.”

Perez has five weekends left to get the best out of his Red Bull and put another poor event in Qatar behind him.

Eddie Jordan has backed one driver on the grid to challenge Verstappen and it isn’t his current teammates.

Unless something changes very quickly, it feels like Perez’s time at Red Bull is going to come to an end sooner rather than later.

The Mexican has gone from challenging Verstappen after the first five races to looking over his shoulder as Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso try to chase him down in the Drivers’ Championship.