Sergio Perez tipped to have 2022 F1 title chance but must 'change internal pecking order' at Red Bull

Mexican journalist and Formula 1 reporter Luis Ramirez believes Sergio Perez has a genuine chance of challenging for the Drivers’ title in 2022, but he must ‘change the internal pecking order’ at Red Bull as he once again shares a garage with Max Verstappen.

Checo and Max appeared to strike up a good rapport quickly upon the Mexican’s arrival at Red Bull for the start of 2021, with him acting as a solid rear-gunner as Verstappen took on Lewis Hamilton for the championship.

Indeed, Perez’s performances helped Red Bull go the closest they have been for several years to winning the Constructors’ crown, though Mercedes did still win it, and he’ll be overall content with how his maiden year with the team went.

He does, though, want to challenge for the championship himself and if Red Bull can give him a quick enough car then Ramirez believes Perez has the tools to achieve his ultimate dream – but he must also overcome his reigning champion team-mate Verstappen:

“He will have to fight a war internally,” he told Motorsport.com.

“Because now Max is champion, he carries even more weight within the team and we know there is a first and second driver at Red Bull.

“Perez will have to fight to change that internal pecking order.

“But if Checo has shown one thing in Formula 1 in the past year, it is that he never gives up. And that’s why he drives for Red Bull.

“Now he has had a year at Red Bull, he knows how to get the best out of the team.

“But 2022 is a year of many changes. From the new rules for the car to the freezing of the development of the power units, and from a calendar with a record 23 races to a new fuel.

“If Red Bull continue to compete at the front, Perez will have the tools, the hunger and the talent to be a title