Sergio Perez says he is a “different driver” compared to when he made his move to McLaren in 2013.
After a breakout season with Sauber in 2012, claiming three podiums, the Mexican, who was also in the Ferrari Academy at the time, was chosen to replace Lewis Hamilton at the Woking-based team after his switch to Mercedes.
Unfortunately, what was considered as Perez’s big chance rather fell flat as McLaren slipped into the upper midfield and Checo was replaced after just one year by Kevin Magnussen.
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Since then, Sergio has rebuilt his career at Force India/ Racing Point, but now faces the prospect of being off the grid in 2021 as Sebastian Vettel will take his seat for next year.
The only option seemingly open to Perez is Red Bull, which would mark another opportunity at one of F1’s top teams.
And the 30-year-old is sure he would perform better than he did at McLaren.
“Going there, things that didn’t work,” he told RaceFans recently.
“Then being seven years with a different team, being in the sport, the level of [maturity], the level of knowledge, experience. I’m such a different driver, definitely much more ready to make it work than last time.”
Perez is certainly proving his ability with an impressive 2020 campaign that has seen him finish in the points at every race he’s competed in.
Last time out in Turkey, he would also claim his first podium since Baku in 2018, moving him up to fourth in the Drivers’ Championship.
“I think from my side it’s been a good season but also Formula 1, it’s so much related to your car’s potential,” Perez said.
“I think I’ve had very good seasons in the past but were not seen as a good year because of the car’s potential. I was finishing seventh in the championship, a couple of times eighth, but I was still doing a good job, a tremendous job.
“I think right now I’m at a very good level in my career, I think probably at my peak in terms of experience, understanding, communication-wise with the team as well. I’ve been awhile with the team so that also helps.”