Jo Ramirez Offers Sage Advice to Sergio Perez Amid Career Uncertainty at Red Bull
Sergio Perez, currently grappling with one of the more challenging phases of his career at Red Bull, has found himself at a crossroads. Despite securing a new deal beyond 2024, Perez’s form has not improved—in fact, it seems to have deteriorated. Jo Ramirez, a 40-year veteran of Formula 1 with a storied history working alongside legends like Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna at McLaren, has weighed in on Perez’s situation.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Ramirez summed up the dilemma facing Perez, emphasizing the psychological and strategic challenges that the Mexican driver must confront. “For Checo, it’s very difficult. He’s not a bad driver, but I tell him that he should say the car is perfect because he always complains about the car, the temperature, the tires…” Ramirez noted.
Ramirez, who has seen the highs and lows of many great drivers, believes that Perez’s constant dissatisfaction might be counterproductive. Instead of focusing on the negatives, Ramirez advises Perez to acknowledge the unique talent of his teammate, Max Verstappen. “Checo always complains about something instead of saying: ‘Look, Verstappen is a phenomenon, and I can’t get close to him.’ He shouldn’t be afraid to admit that because I think there are very few drivers who are at Verstappen’s level – or maybe none.”
Ramirez’s advice to Perez is to shift his mindset and accept his current role, striving to be the best he can within those parameters. “Checo can change his driving style, but he’ll never be able to match Max. However, he should say, ‘Okay, I’m here doing the best I can, and I’m second in the championship,’” Ramirez suggested.
Despite currently sitting seventh in the drivers’ standings with 131 points after 14 rounds, Perez still plays a crucial role in Red Bull’s strategy, contributing to their lead in the Constructors’ standings. However, Ramirez’s perspective is that Perez’s continued focus on what he cannot control—his comparison to Verstappen—may hinder his ability to deliver consistent performances.
Reflecting on the broader changes in F1, Ramirez lamented the loss of the sport’s “romanticism” and humanity. He pointed out that drivers today are far more shielded from the public and the media compared to previous eras, making it difficult to get genuine insights from them. “Drivers no longer show themselves as they truly are in front of the media. To have an interview with a driver, you have to schedule it weeks in advance. You can’t just do an interview right now. A lot has been lost,” Ramirez observed.
As Perez navigates this critical juncture in his career, the wisdom of a seasoned F1 veteran like Ramirez could provide valuable guidance. Whether Perez can adapt his mindset and refocus his efforts may determine whether he can secure his place within Red Bull and continue to compete at the highest level.
Photo from Sergio Perez Instagram
