Hamilton: Red Bull is not helping Pérez

MEXICO CITY — Lewis Hamilton believes Sergio Pérez will not be getting the assist he wants at Purple Bull, saying he would discover a comparable scenario in his crew “very onerous to cope with.”

Pérez arrives at his residence grand prix beneath strain this weekend, with lower than half the factors of his teammate Max Verstappen and no podium finishes from the previous 4 races.

Forward of the Singapore Grand Prix, Purple Bull adviser Helmut Marko was essential of Pérez’s document this 12 months and linked the poor efficiency to the Mexican driver’s ethnicity — feedback he later apologised for.

Though he didn’t title names, Hamilton believes the shortage of assist from sure members of the Purple Bull crew has solely made Pérez’s scenario worse.

“I feel that his crew will not be serving to him in any respect,” he advised Fox Sports activities on Thursday. “I do know that Purple Bull is made up of many members, however there are individuals who have an effect on him psychologically and don’t assist him.

“If I heard such damaging issues about myself each weekend, it will be very tough. So he’s in a really difficult setting for him, however I feel he is aware of tips on how to cope with it.

“I have not skilled precisely one thing like what Sergio goes via, however as a driver I perceive the psychological and psychological pressures. It’s one thing very heavy that falls on you, and it is vitally tough to elucidate it in phrases.”

Pérez began the season with two victories from 4 races and was simply six factors off Verstappen after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in April. Hamilton believes the Purple Bull driver will rediscover a few of that efficiency in entrance of his residence followers this weekend.

“I feel he has nice assist round him, he’s caring for himself very nicely. I used to be very excited for him in the beginning of the season, as a result of he was driving so nicely,” he mentioned.

“I even assume that sooner or later he led the drivers’ championship, and I assumed ‘we’re lastly seeing the perfect of Checo,’ however it’s a very lengthy 12 months and a really lengthy season.

“This can be a very demanding sport, however what I can spotlight most about Pérez is that he at all times recovers, will get up and retains attempting. One thing I can guarantee you is that Mexico goes to point out itself this weekend.

“Once I was at Silverstone [Hamilton’s own home track], I used to be very motivated, and it’ll certainly be one thing that may occur to him.”