Sergio Perez says that his first aim is to achieve the “best possible” result for himself, and that doing so will benefit Max Verstappen.
Perez, like Valtteri Bottas, has found himself in a number two role this season, with the task of assisting his teammate in securing the Drivers’ title.
The Mexican hasn’t always been allowed to participate, having been put on the back foot after failing to qualify inside the top four.
Verstappen admitted to Ziggo Sport after the Spanish Grand Prix that he is “alone in the fight” against the two Mercedes drivers.
When asked if he needed Perez to do anything else to help him, he said, “At least they can’t make that second stop, and then it’s just near the end who has the best tyres left.” But it is like that.”
And, while Perez’s performances have improved over the season, it was in Turkey that he really showed how he could assist Verstappen.
While the Dutchman was pursuing Bottas for the win, Perez was running a few positions back when Hamilton, who had started P11 due to a grid penalty, raced up behind him.
Perez put in a brilliant defensive performance, even holding his nerve as the Mercedes driver pushed him into the pit lane.
Perez finished third on the day, one position behind Verstappen, and Hamilton finished fifth.
The Mexican driver believes the result was due to his running his own race and pursuing the best possible result for himself.
“The first priority is of course to do the best possible for myself,” he said.
“I help the team and Max as part of that team with that too.
“Just look at the race in Turkey. If Lewis had passed me at that moment, his race would have looked very different.
“That way I can be important to the Constructors’ and also to the Drivers’ championship.
“I have to do the best for myself and that will naturally have an impact on the team.”
Verstappen leads Lewis Hamilton by six points in the race for the World Championship with six races remaining in this year’s championship.
Red Bull team head Christian Horner says he is pleased with his driver lineup, which will be maintained next season.
“It’s up there,” Horner told Sky F1.
“There was always a good dynamic with Daniel [Ricciardo], Alex [Albon] last year there was never any issues.
“But Sergio knows what the objectives are for these remaining races, and one of those key objectives is having him as close to the front as we can possibly get him.”
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