Sergio Perez: Crimson Bull driver may have one eye on Daniel Ricciardo – Coulthard

Sergio Perez wants a “software program replace” to match Crimson Bull team-mate Max Verstappen and may have one eye on the returning Daniel Ricciardo this yr, says former F1 driver David Coulthard.

Eight-time grand prix winner Ricciardo is Crimson Bull’s third driver for 2023.

“Checo (Perez) will see that there’s a actual substitute driver there,” mentioned Coulthard of the Australian’s return.

Verstappen gained 15 races as he gained his second championship, whereas Perez claimed two – on the streets of Monaco and Singapore.

There was additionally controversy on the finish of the season when Verstappen, who had already gained the title, was requested to maneuver apart on monitor and provides Perez a place within the penultimate race in Brazil however failed to take action because the Mexican challenged Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for second within the championship.

Verstappen mentioned after the race in Brazil that he had “causes” for refusing to let Perez again forward and that he was reacting to “one thing that occurred up to now”, which has reported to have been in relation to Perez’s crash in qualifying in Monaco in Might – a race he went on to win.

Perez finally missed out on second place and ended up 104 factors off Verstappen.

Coulthard, who raced for Crimson Bull in his last 4 seasons, mentioned Verstappen is a “benchmark” and Mexico’s Perez’s F1 future is “in his personal fingers”.

“For Checo to take a look at what number of victories Max had and what number of he had, it isn’t like he’s simply having to shine just a few corners. This can be a main rewrite, a software program replace,” he mentioned.

“In the event you use the identical elements within the cake you’re going to get the the identical cake. It’s essential to change it if you’d like one thing totally different.

“He has entry to the information of the world champion. He can see the place he is faster, the place he is slower. Checo will likely be faster in some areas. It is simply Max is placing all of it collectively most of the time.

“All of the information is there for Checo to elevate his efficiency. If he does then the world championship is there for him to place his hand on.

“If he does not, then he will likely be one other driver, like myself, that gained just a few grands prix.”

Coulthard gained 13 races in 15 seasons in F1.

Ricciardo ‘making an attempt to rebuild’

Ricciardo gained six races for Crimson Bull earlier than leaving for Renault in 2019, the place each he and the staff struggled to problem for wins and podiums.

A transfer to McLaren in 2021 noticed Ricciardo win in Monza, however he was largely outperformed by team-mate Lando Norris and low-key outings final season noticed his contract terminated a yr early because the British staff opted to signal rookie Oscar Piastri for 2023.

Ricciardo, 33, returns to Crimson Bull as third driver and can help the staff with testing and simulation work in addition to business actions.

“Daniel, not being the place we knew he could possibly be – he simply did not appear to be Daniel of outdated so that is about him making an attempt to rebuild,” Coulthard mentioned.

“He has an incredible legacy with Crimson Bull and he left to go off and try to make it large elsewhere, that did not work so he has come again to the household.

“If he can get his thoughts again to what’s was when he was having success, then Daniel has to have a chance to come back again. If this chance does not present itself then that is most likely his grand prix profession wrapped up.”

Talking earlier than a Crimson Bull F1 showrun in Dublin on Sunday, Coulthard drew on his personal experiences as a McLaren driver in opposition to double champion Mika Hakkinen and Kimi Raikkonen, who went on to win the championship with Ferrari in 2007.

“Having been in the same state of affairs to Sergio the place I used to be up in opposition to Mika and Kimi, you simply have to depart no stone unturned,” Coulthard mentioned.

“You do bodily coaching however the one approach he can enhance his qualifying velocity is within the automobile or within the simulator.

“In 9 years at McLaren, I did each take a look at and by no means missed a race, even once I felt horrible, even once I felt like I used to be going to be sick after testing, as a result of I knew the minute I let the take a look at driver get within the automobile it turned a chance to point out how good he was.

“If I do not let him get within the automobile he can speak all day lengthy. It’s a must to defend your territory.”