Perez honest: 'I can beat Verstappen, but it's about consistency'

Perez is currently third in the championship and just four points clear of Charles Leclerc. He firmly believes he can become world champion, although it may not be this year. He will have to beat his teammate Max Verstappen to do so, but the Mexican is not lacking in confidence on that front either. "If everything is good and I drive perfectly, I can beat anyone in Formula 1," he said in conversation with Sport Bild.

Perez praises Verstappen

That he can also beat the reigning world champion has already been shown by Perez this year, but he admits it will have to happen more often if he is to win a world title. "Unfortunately it won't be a done deal," he laughs about the battle he will face with his teammate. "Max has incredible qualities, is very mature for his age and has a very good feeling for the car. Therefore, the question is not whether I can beat him in a weekend, but how many races can I finish ahead of him. It's about consistency. That's what makes a champion."

Nice words from Perez about his teammate, but he also has nothing but good things to say about Red Bull Racing. "I'm with the best team in the world. The amount of knowledge and talent that comes together here is incredible and with Max I have a driver of absolute world class as my teammate," he continues. Perez is happy to get on so well with Verstappen, but stresses that the two motivate each other to perform at their best.