A win for Sergio Perez in Miami this weekend might just see him become the favourite for the 2023 Formula 1 title.
That is the view of Jenson Button, who has been left impressed by the job done by the Mexican so far this year. Few gave him much of a chance of beating Max Verstappen to the title this season but, after four races, he has acquitted himself well.
Red Bull have won all four Grands Prix so far this year, those victories split equally between Perez and Verstappen. Last time out in Baku, the Mexican won both the Sprint and the main race to close the gap to his team-mate to just six points.
He has never achieved back-to-back F1 wins before, but has the chance to change that in Miami this weekend. If Perez manages to do that, then Button thinks people will have to take his title challenge very seriously.
"I've been really impressed with Sergio," said the Sky Sports pundit and 2009 F1 champion. "He did a really good job at the weekend [in Azerbaijan]. Back-to-back wins, if you like, with the sprint race and the main event. That will give him a lot of confidence.
"We haven't seen him throughout a season be as competitive as Max. He is on it every weekend. Lewis [Hamilton] is on it every weekend, although maybe not so with the car this year. That's the way they go racing and it's why they're so difficult to beat over a season.
"Consistency is where Sergio has been lacking. But if he can do it in Miami – kind of a street race as well – I think he has a chance to fight for the championship. And I didn't think I would be saying that – I really didn't!"
Meanwhile, double F1 champion Mika Hakkinen feels the Miami track is ideal for Perez. He observed: "The track has been resurfaced for this year. The new surface is designed to offer more grip, especially under braking so, when combined with the high temperatures, this will make it hard on tyres.
"Anyone who has a reputation for being good with tyre management – Checo Perez being one example – could have a real advantage on Sunday."
