While Max Verstappen won the drivers’ championship, ahead of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, Red Bull finished only 3rd in the constructors’ standings, behind Red Bull and even Ferrari.
This unprecedented fact for 40 years obviously calls into question the declining competitiveness of Sergio Pérez, especially in this second half of the season.
Jan Lammers, the promoter of the Dutch Grand Prix (which will disappear from the calendar from the end of 2025) said out loud what all of Milton Keynes must be thinking: Sergio Pérez is not at the level and has greatly facilitated McLaren F1 business!
“I definitely think McLaren are the deserved champions this year,” Lammers said. “But I also think they can thank Sergio Perez for that. He just didn’t perform as well as McLaren’s second driver. »
Logic would dictate that next year, Sergio Pérez will be replaced for insufficient performance. But even with this replacement, it is not clear that Red Bull will be able to take back its dues. Because in times of regulatory stability, as Lammers notes, McLaren F1 (which ended up with the best car) and therefore Lando Norris could be best placed. And the Briton will also have more experience.
“Next season, everyone will start from scratch…”
“Norris says about himself that he has everything it takes to win the title. »
“He obviously showed some fantastic things this year, but there were also times when he himself said: ‘I still have things to learn.’ This is entirely commendable of him. »
If Lando Norris is to learn from his mistakes, McLaren F1 must also clearly improve, as the team has wasted far too many points along the way.
This is the complementary point of view provided by Lammers’ colleague and former Bridgestone engineer, Ernest Knoors.
“McLaren has really laid a very good foundation this season,” said the Dutchman. “I think they paid the price this season because they hadn’t really fought for the championship in a long time. Their weak point was when they had to constantly get the most out of that car, because from Miami they were actually very fast. »
“Yet they constantly made mistakes, for example reacting too late to a safety car or interpreting the rules incorrectly. »
“Lando learned from that. He will also have learned to fight with Verstappen, because he also has to be tougher and more decisive in this area. he continues.
“The team needs to be more responsive in how they apply certain strategies and how they handle unpredictable circumstances. It’s something you learn from your mistakes. I guess they took a huge step forward in that regard this year, so I expect them to be well prepared next year. »
