Is Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez a candidate to win the World Championship?
Just before the Azerbaijan GP, Checo Perez reaffirms himself as a candidate for the title after his victory in Monaco.
This was the first race that Max Verstappen managed to finish in a different position than the first place, a position occupied by Sergio 'Checo' Pérez, his teammate at Red Bull, while 'Super' Max finished in the third position. But, this win by Checo is important, not because it is probably the most prestigious Grand Prix that a driver can win, but also because he is getting closer to Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc in the Drivers’ Championship.
Positive streak
After a chaotic start of the season at the Bahrain GP for him and the entire Red Bull team, both have been able to pull themselves together in subsequent races. The one who has monopolized the spotlight has been Max Verstappen, since that incident, he managed to get the first position in every race that he has finished, and this added to the results of Ferrari (especially with Leclerc) has positioned him first in the World Drivers’ Championship.
Meanwhile, Checo has been close, getting good results for the team, but always a little behind his teammate. Finishing three times in second place and fourth in the Saudi Arabian GP and in the Miami GP, Checo has not had the same streak as his teammate after Bahrain, but he has certainly remained solvent and is showing more confidence with the car, unlike at the beginning of last season.
Checo's great moment was confirmed after a controversy at the Spanish GP where he felt that the team's strategy was "unfair" to him. But, in Monaco, the story was very different…
After being the first of the four drivers ahead to bet on intermediates and after Ferrari's disaster in Leclerc's call to the pits, Checo has been given the opportunity to win probably the most prestigious Grand Prix on the calendar, an achievement that would end up getting after crossing the finish line in first position.
Immediate future: Candidate to win the Championship?
Checo would achieve his third victory as an F1 driver in the principality of Monaco and his contract extension with Red Bull was later confirmed. But, despite all this, the best news for him is his position in the Drivers’ Championship. Something that has been poorly mentioned, but the Mexican driver is in third place with 110 points so far, and just 15 points behind his teammate, Max Verstappen who is currently first.
Checo could maintain his hot streak in a circuit that is one of his favorites, the Azerbaijan GP. This circuit has brought great results to the Mexican since it appeared on the calendar as the Europe GP in 2016, where Checo would start the race in the second place after an incredible classification session and would manage to join the podium after arriving in third together with Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel (another one who has enjoyed of excellent results at the circuit). In five races that have been held, including the one in 2016, Checo has registered two podiums and one victory.
So if Checo can keep up his good form in Baku and get a good result, the ‘King of Street Circuits’ could finish this weekend as a clear contender for the Championship, and add himself to a fight that so far has been between Max and Charles.
What do you think? Is Checo ready for the challenge and he could live up to the expectations? Or maybe I am exaggerating after his remarkable win two weeks ago? Anyways, this will only be decided on track, so let's race!
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