Hakkinen: Perez now playing an important strategic role for Verstappen

Mika Hakkinen believes that Sergio Perez will play an important strategic role for Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen in Mexico following a strong performance at the United States Grand Prix. Perez finished third behind Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in Austin, a result that Red Bull celebrated in style as they cut the gap to Mercedes in the Constructors' standings to 23 points. Next up is a trip to Perez's home race in Mexico. Hakkinen expects Perez to help Verstappen out once again, as the Dutchman looks to defend a 12-point lead over Hamilton. "It was a strong weekend for Max's teammate, Sergio Perez, who looked like he might take pole position," Hakkinen wrote in his column for Unibet . "Although he started third, he was able to put enough pressure on Lewis to force him to make his first pit-stop slightly earlier in order to avoid the undercut. "Sergio's performance in this next race will again play an important strategic role for Max, but I know that Lewis and Valtteri Bottas remain confident that there will be more opportunities for victories this year. "It's a championship that has produced some major surprises and we will certainly see some more before we reach Abu Dhabi in mid-December." Perez described the United States Grand Prix as his "toughest race ever" , finishing the gruelling 56-lap encounter without a working drinks system. Hakkinen believes that hindered him towards the end of the race. He added: "Ultimately Sergio fell back, not helped by a drinks bottle that was not working - that made life difficult for him towards the end of the race. "On a hot day, dehydration is not ideal when racing in F1!"