F1: Sergio Perez explains reason for Max Verstappen edge over field this year

Sergio Perez has offered his thoughts on how Max Verstappen managed to pull away from the field to storm to a second world championship.

The Formula 1 season still has four races to go but Verstappen has already sewn the title up, with him now a double world champion.

Indeed, he has been mercurial for much of the campaign and he still has a host of records he can beat before the season concludes in Abu Dhabi in November.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen could break big Schumacher and Hamilton F1 records in 2022

Red Bull have the Constructors' championship to try and wrap up, meanwhile, with them having the opportunity to do so next time out at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, and with Perez sitting in second in the Drivers' standings it's clear they have been the team to beat this year.

Reflecting on Max's showing this season, meanwhile, Perez has suggested that the Dutchman's talent is what has seen him pull away, rather than the RB18 being a cut above the Ferrari F1-75.

Indeed, he's suggested that once Max got comfortable in the new car, he hasn't looked back:

Well, I think Max has had an incredible season: a lot of respect for him.

“I’ve said it before: I don’t feel like Red Bull have had a dominant car, to have won the championship the way Max won it, so I think he definitely pulled a gear or two compared to anyone else.

“I think in the beginning I was a lot closer to him; once he got quite comfortable with the car and I was more uncomfortable with it, he was driving at another level compared to everyone."

Verstappen and the RB18 have proven an irresistible combination this year and Perez will be aiming to try and be closer to him in 2023.

At the start of the season, Perez was certainly looking like a title