Perez explains performance gap to Verstappen

Sergio Perez believes Max Verstappen has found something balance-wise with the RB19, which enables him to out-race him at each Formula 1 race.

The Mexican has not managed to finish ahead of Verstappen since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, despite having a chance at Spa Francorchamps when he started from second and Verstappen from sixth on the grid.

Although Perez took the lead of the race, it was not long before Verstappen got back out in front and won by a margin of 22 seconds.

The Mexican believes this was down to a breakthrough in setup from his teammate when speaking to media, including RacingNews365: "Yeah, it’s certainly something to do with his balance, to do with how he’s driving the car and looking after the tyres,” he said.

"Something that he found, and he’s been operating in that balance-wise, and he was able to cope with it already in Baku."

Perez: I haven't adapted quickly enough

Perez feels the updates made to the RB19 have made it more difficult to close the gap to Verstappen, given his different driving style.

The Dutchman is renown for liking a very 'pointy' car through the corners, which is something Perez has yet to exploit to his advantage.

"Every driver through their career or through each season, you get some upgrades to the car that adapt easier to your driving style than others," said Perez.

"Sometimes you will put a part in it and you will go faster straight away, [but] sometimes you will have to adapt to it.

"I haven't been able to adapt as quickly as I should and I had to change my driving style a bit to adapt into the car more than in the beginning of the season, when things were coming more naturally. But that's something that most drivers at some point we go through."