Verstappen doesn't need Perez to tune RB18

Red Bull Racing looks set to finally have the driver duo it has been hoping for since the departure of Daniel Ricciardo in 2022. Perez manages to stay close to Verstappen in 2022 and sometimes challenges the Dutchman by qualifying faster. Yet the Dutchman sees no difference to himself who sits in the other RB18.

Verstappen works in his own way

''I always work in my way since second year in Red Bull, I think I understood, of course, that the way the team was working more and also myself, you know, getting a lot more experience and that's what has been the case from the last few years. I go off my own feeling and experience and together of course with my engineers,'' Verstappen said at the press conference. So the Dutchman does not care that Perez is also working on his setup on the other side of the garage.

''I look at myself, that's why I spend my time on the simulator first of all, and then try the weekend as well just work together with my engineers to find a good balance in the car,'' concludes the reigning world champion. Yet Verstappen also stresses that he is happy with Perez as his teammate. He may not need him to set up the car, but he does need him in the battle for the world championship.