Red Bull able to 'swat away' resurgent McLaren threat - Perez

Sergio Perez feels that it will be "very difficult" for any of Red Bull's rivals to challenge the Formula 1 world champions, especially closest challenger McLaren. 

An upgrade in Miami for McLaren has brought the MCL38 into the mix as one of the fastest cars on the grid, with the machine arguably the fastest in Barcelona during the Spanish Grand Prix last time out. 

McLaren has been strong across a wide range of tracks since Miami, including the slow-speed Monaco and high-speed Barcelona blast with Red Bull under the most pressure it has been since the adoption of the ground effects rules in 2022.

Perez, who is enduring a slump in form, with just eight points from the last four races is sure that the team can defeat any McLaren challenge - simply because of its nature.

"McLaren has had the most solid car in the last few races over different track layouts and they've been the most competitive," Perez told media including RacingNews365. 

"But you are talking about small margins. 

"If we are able to maximise our package, then that will be better and things will look better for us. 

"I know there is a long year ahead so we just have to keep our head on track. 

"The team is very strong and it will be very, very difficult for other teams to beat us throughout the season because of the level that we've been operating at in the last few years and now.

"At the end of the day, it is important to maximise our form, focus on ourselves and get the maximum result we can possibly get."

Upgrades tough

Whilst the first two seasons of the ground effects rules featured huge upgrade packages, teams are starting to hit the law of diminishing returns with big packages harder to come by. 

Perez reckons the tight battle at the front will continue on, and trackside operations and maximising the given package critical.

"It is going to be like this for the whole year until someone finds something magic or unexpected, it is getting harder and harder to find performance," he added.

"There will be tracks where one team is very strong and vice versa, so it will be down to the level of detail and precision and maximising the weekends and when you have an opportunity to win, making sure that you do."