Marc Priestley explains what was so ‘surprising’ about Sergio Perez’s performance during Baku qualifying

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For the first time this season, Sergio Perez finally got the better of Red Bull Racing teammate Max Verstappen during a qualifying session.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix has always been a strong event for Sergio Perez with his expertise on street circuits coming to the fore even if the Red Bull isn’t the best-suited car to the Baku track.

Perez is the most successful driver in history in Azerbaijan although it will be a difficult task for the Mexican to add to his two victories already at the circuit.

Charles Leclerc will once again start on pole position and hope to finally convert starting at the front in Baku into a race win after failing to do so on the previous three occasions.

Speaking on the Chequered Flag Podcast, former McLaren mechanic and pundit Marc Priestley was talking about how both Red Bulls performed on Saturday.

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Max Verstappen knows he’s in a tough battle with Lando Norris for the Drivers’ Championship as although he has a significant points advantage, his Red Bull is no longer quicker than Norris’s McLaren.

The Brit got caught out by a yellow flag in Q1 and was eliminated, giving Verstappen an immediate advantage heading into Sunday’s race.

Perez is also perfectly placed to not only potentially secure his first podium finish since the Chinese Grand Prix but also help Verstappen out if he needs to.

Why Sergio Perez’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying performance was surprising

Talking about the 34-year-old, Priestley said: “He seems to be very comfortable around this circuit.

“What I guess is a tiny bit surprising is that he’s been so far off the boil for the large part of this season.

“It’s great that we’re seeing him come back on form, but it’s happened at a time when his teammate seems to be disappearing a little bit in terms of form.

“Max Verstappen wasn’t happy or comfortable at all over the course of this weekend really so far, although he put a couple of decent laps in, he was always complaining about the car.

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“Whereas Perez seems to be quite content, quite comfortable with it.

“So, a good strong showing from him and I think with both cars, their biggest plus out today is that their main title rival in terms of Lando Norris is nowhere to be seen.”

Sergio Perez’s F1 future still not secure despite Red Bull contract for 2025

Speculation in the Formula 1 driver’s market will soon come to an end with only a couple of seats left to fill at RB and Sauber for next year.

However, Perez’s performances across the campaign have been questioned constantly with Verstappen 160 points better off than his teammate.

Clauses in Perez’s contract would allow Red Bull to replace him although they decided against that course of action during the summer break.

Perez may still lose his seat after Singapore although the issues with the RB20 appear to be much more pressing than the 34-year-old’s recent form.

Red Bull have drawn up a three-man shortlist that includes Perez for 2025 and in all likelihood he’ll retain his seat.

But if they lose the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren or Ferrari, it’ll be hard not to point the finger at the driver who only has four podium finishes this year compared to his teammate’s seven victories.