Emerson Fittipaldi backing Sergio Perez to keep title challenge alive

Former Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi believes that Sergio Perez is still firmly in the championship race alongside Max Verstappen.

The Mexican was sitting in P2 in the standings not so long ago but two retirements in the last three races, at Canada and Austria respectively, have left him falling behind his team-mate and Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari.

As the second half of the season begins this weekend here in France, there’s naturally suggestions growing that it might be time for Red Bull to fully focus on Max in terms of the Drivers’ title for 2022 but, for Fittipaldi, Checo still has to be considered part of the conversation as things stand.

Speaking to Vegas Insider, Fittipaldi said:

“I’m sure both Max Verstappen and Checo Perez will be strong contenders and I go even further. In my opinion, Checo Perez, he is growing, he’s getting more self-confidence. he’s getting stronger and stronger on every Grand Prix. If his mindset this weekend is fixed to win, he has the talent, he has the speed to win.

“I think he’s going to give a hard time to Max from now on. I have this feeling because he’s extremely self-confident now. He knows he has the talent, the speed and he’s not anymore a shadow to Max. He’s reality. He’s there. He’s a contender, he’s strong.

“This is my belief and this is my opinion that Checo Perez will be running strong. Very strong and I think this is going to create some friction because of his performance. Not that Max is slowing down. Max is an extremely talented driver. He’s the world champion. He’s leading the championship. But Checo is there. He’s there and he’s strong.”