Valtteri Bottas has provided guidance to Sergio Perez, the struggling Red Bull driver, advising him to trust in his own capabilities while being Max Verstappen’s teammate. Having experienced a similar role as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes for five years, Bottas, now driving for Sauber, emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence despite playing a supporting role.
Bottas shared his perspective, stating that he never dwelled on being overshadowed by Hamilton, and even though he couldn’t outperform him on average, he approaches races with confidence, believing he can compete with anyone on a good day.
In relation to Perez’s challenges at Red Bull, Bottas suggested that a lack of self-trust has played a role in his struggles compared to Verstappen. Bottas highlighted the significance of a positive attitude, emphasizing that entering a race weekend with the belief that one cannot beat their teammate leads to defeat before even starting. He stressed the crucial role of self-confidence in Formula 1 and how it can impact performance.
Bottas concluded by noting that Perez needs to cultivate a mindset that convinces him of his ability to compete at the highest level. Perez, facing uncertainty about retaining his Red Bull seat for the next season, must instill confidence in himself. Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, hinted at Perez’s future being contingent on his performance, suggesting that if he excels in the upcoming season, an extension beyond 2024 is possible. However, Horner also mentioned having alternatives in consideration, signaling the team’s willingness to explore other options if necessary.