Perez admits Verstappen 'challenge' in 2024 title run

Sergio Perez believes it will be a "challenge" to beat MaxVerstappen in 2024, as he targets a championship in his fourth yearwith the team. The Mexican finished runner-up in the Drivers'Championship after Verstappen scored over twice as many points,with the former looking to improve his form. Perez started the 2023season by taking two poles and two victories in the first fiveraces, but he struggled to stay competitive against Verstappen asthe season went on. Inconsistent performances in qualifying oftenput him out of position in the races, with him only taking twovictories out of Red Bull's dominant 21 victories out of 22 GrandsPrix. Perez: That's my main target With Perez adamant that he doesnot want to play second fiddle to Verstappen, he is targeting amuch more consistent season. “That’s the main target for me becauseI’ve already finished second,” said Perez. “My main interest is todo one better. I’m aware of the challenge that it is, we’ve got toreally take this winter time to try to start the season on a highand be able to maintain that level of consistency throughout theseason.” Perez believes there is lot he can learn from Verstappento eventually beat him on track and mount a credible challenge.“Definitely there are things you learn from [Verstappen],”explained Perez. “Obviously I have the best reference out therebecause he was the one who was so competitive, so I think there’sno harm in looking at what he’s doing, how he’s doing it, try tolearn and improve. “[You can] see what works for you, what he’sdoing differently to you. I’ve always had a very open approach andI think it’s something that works well.”