This isn’t untrue, but he also had flashes of genuine brilliance in terms of race craft. Sakhir 2020, Abu Dhabi 2021, etc. They didn’t call him the “Mexican Minister of Defense” for nothing. He cratered at the end of his career and fully deserved to lose his seat, but he wasn’t always as terrible a driver as recent history would suggest.
He was good at pulling up midfield cars. But he just wasn't cut out to drive for a top team. Slightest bit of pressure, and he's on tilt. And the more pressure he was under, the worse he drove.
Worse than his performances, his behaviour has really soured a lot of people on him. Every weekend, the lack of accountability, the excuses, the 'we should have fought for the constructors' talk, the constant 'I have a contract for next year!' stuff. He should have left halfway through and kept his dignity. Instead he had to get pulled kicking and screaming out of the car via contract negotiations. Compare that to the good grace and humour with which Ricciardo, Bottas, Zhou, KMag, etc., displayed when they finished their careers.
This is a stupid double standard. DR got forced out of McLaren with contract negotiations, he didn’t gracefully leave. 90% of drivers are pushed out, only the very top drivers have the luxury to retire willingly like Vettel or Raikonnen (they were declining but could’ve held a seat if they desired).
Please name one driver in the last 10 years who willingly retired (let alone mid season) due to poor performance. I fully understand the frustration toward RBR for signing the extension but blaming the driver for wanting to stay is crazy.
No one willingly walks, but compare how Ricciardo bowed out after his last race. There's not a dry eye in the room. Bottas actually saw the season out, but took it on the chin and everyone saluted him for it. Everyone else who lost their seat this year did so with dignity.
Checo was literally the only one who stubbornly parroted the 'I got a contract!' every weekend like while shifting blame to everything but himself. By the time this tweet came out, we were DONE. He was always cooked, but jeez, show a little humility on the way out.
Ok.. he did have a contract though which is why he got paid out. Do you honestly think any driver would do differently, again literally the exact same thing happened to DR at McLaren.
Also what is he gonna say when journalists are asking about losing his seat. Do you think that kind of question deserves a sincere response?
I give you that the lack of accountability from Perez was really annoying.
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u/Ficsit-Incorporated Vettel Cult 1d ago
This isn’t untrue, but he also had flashes of genuine brilliance in terms of race craft. Sakhir 2020, Abu Dhabi 2021, etc. They didn’t call him the “Mexican Minister of Defense” for nothing. He cratered at the end of his career and fully deserved to lose his seat, but he wasn’t always as terrible a driver as recent history would suggest.