Emerson Fittipaldi’s advice for Sergio Perez

Harry Sadoun Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez had started the 2023 F1 season as a contender for the Drivers’ Championship alongside teammate and defending champion, Max Verstappen. The Mexican had posted two wins and two second place finishes till the Miami Grand Prix but results have dried up in recent raceweeks.

Perez was unable to defend his Monaco title as he finished a lowly 16th and then missed out on another podium in Spain. Verstappen, meanwhile, hasn’t budged from first place and the gap between the two currently stands at 53 points.

Perez’s string of disappointing results have led to criticism in the media and speculation that Red Bull might look at younger drivers to replace him.

We talked to two-time F1 world champion, Emerson Fittipaldi about Perez’s situation and the Brazilian gave him the same advice he gave to his compatriot, the legendary Ayrton Senna.

I would give Checo the same advice I gave to Ayrton in 1989

Fittipaldi understands that it can be difficult to deal with criticism as an athlete but the key is to not let it affect one’s performance.

He shared a memory he had with the legendary Ayrton Senna in 1989 where he advised him to not be affected by what the media was writing about him.”

"Mentally, sometimes, for any athlete it's difficult to go through this period. Plus dealing with the criticism is difficult."

"I remember at one point, in the late 80s, Ayrton was in my home in Miami Beach. He told me ‘Emerson, I'm really upset with people saying this and that. If I go to another team, I'm in a situation with Ron Dennis and then I read these journalists from different places write stupid things.’"

"I could see Ayrton was really affected as an athlete. We all get affected by that."

"I gave Ayrton this advice - 'focus on your driving and when you arrive at the paddock, nobody cares what people said about you. You just have to go and drive and not be affected by people who are going to judge you. You have to be yourself back again in the cockpit.'"

Fittipaldi says that Perez needs to have the same attitude starting in Montreal and going further. He has to be mentally resolute and not be affected by what the media is saying about him.

"I think Checo Perez needs to go with the same attitude and go back."

"I have had that in my life, any professional athlete at the highest level, you have people that criticize you. It's normal."

"But if you start looking, reading, thinking about it, then it's a big problem."

"I told Ayrton, don't look at any newspapers, just enjoy your driving. Go back to do what you do best - drive a racecar. And I think Checo has to do this."

Mistakes happen in F1 but Checo knows he’s in the best car

The Brazilian motorsport icon has urged to be forgiving of the mistakes Perez has made recently as they can happen to the best drivers on the grid. He further says that Perez is mentally strong and he will be back.

"Sometimes it's coincidence, sometimes it happens, one mistake after another."

"Mentally he'll come back for sure. He's experienced. He's not a new driver there. He knows that he's strong."

“Mistakes can happen anytime. When you're looking at it from the outside, you think "why did he do that?". It just happens sometimes during the season."

The F1 legend concludes by saying that Checo Perez will be under tremendous pressure but the Mexican knows that he is in the best car and team on the grid and they will help him be back to his best.

"He will be under tremendous pressure to perform for sure but on the back of his mind, he knows that he's on the best team, the best car. It's just a question of getting your balance of driving fast consistently, back. And he'll be there for sure."

"But Checo has to focus, knowing that he can perform."

Image Credits: IMAGO/Motorsport Images

Harry Sadoun

Harry Sadoun is a seasoned sports betting expert with a wealth of experience in the iGaming and sports betting industry. Over the past 5 years, he has established himself as a go-to source for insightful analysis and predictions at Vegasinsider. With a passion for sports, Harry specializes in football, basketball, tennis, rugby, and soccer, showcasing a diverse understanding of athletic competitions. Harry's unique approach to sports betting is rooted in a combination of statistical analysis, in-depth research, and a keen understanding of the dynamics that influence game outcomes. His expert opinions and strategic insights have made him a trusted voice in the industry, guiding both novice and seasoned bettors alike. With an unwavering commitment to delivering accurate and up-to-date information, Harry Sadoun continues to be a prominent figure in the world of sports betting, providing enthusiasts with the tools they need to make informed decisions. More from Harry Sadoun