Perez: Ricciardo will have tough time against Hulkenberg

Sergio Perez believes that Daniel Ricciardo will not have it easy against Nico Hulkenberg next year. Ricciardo confirmed a number of weeks ago that he would be joining Renault for the 2019 season on a two-year deal alongside Hulkenberg.

Perez, who was Hulkenberg's teammate at Force India from 2014 to 2016 says that the Australian should expect a "hard time" against Hulkenberg. However, the Mexican also spoke highly of the midfield battle, saying that a driver of Ricciardo's calibre in the mid-field fight shows just how close the fight is.

“The Ricciardo to Renault [move] is quite an interesting one,” said Perez. “I think to have someone like him in the midfield will just show how strong the midfield is at the moment.

“I think if things stay the same for next year, and the midfield is so close together, he’s going to enjoy a lot of competitive [battles]. It will be interesting to see him with Hulkenberg as well because I think he’s going to have a hard time there with Nico.”

Perez's future is still unclear, however it is expected that he will stay with Force India next year. In Belgium, he was believed to have had talks with Haas, while reports on Tuesday stated that he was on McLaren's shortlist for 2019.

Perez raced for McLaren during the 2013 season after he was brought in as Lewis Hamilton's replacement. He only spent one year with the Woking team, but it now appears that the restructured British outfit is keen on bringing him back to partner Carlos Sainz. 

 

Fergal Walsh

DR is off his heading leaving RB, no other words describe it.

  • 1
  • Aug 29 2018 - 14:48

Replies (8)

Login to reply
  • DR is off his heading leaving RB, no other words describe it.

    • + 1
    • Aug 29 2018 - 14:48
    • I think he is doing a mistake, but time will tell. For all we know it could be an okayish deal.

      • + 0
      • Aug 29 2018 - 19:12
  • Using DR to pump one's own stock Perez?

    • + 0
    • Aug 29 2018 - 16:15
    • I mean, there is some truth in it. Hulk has embarrassed most of his team mates aside from Perez.

      • + 0
      • Aug 29 2018 - 19:13
  • He had it so easy against Verstappen. Now comes the true challenge, the record holder Hulkenberg.

    • + 0
    • Aug 29 2018 - 18:04
    • boudy

      Posts: 1,168

      And it all depends what engineers he gets; if he gets the same ones as Palmer/Sainz he is screwed; if he gets the engineers of Hulk than Hulk is screwed. That Renault number 2 car has had dreadful reliability.

      • + 0
      • Aug 30 2018 - 07:02
  • cricho

    Posts: 80

    Renault moving up in 2019-2020. Red Bull Honda moving down for the next couple of years....
    I think he made a smart move. Time will tell....
    Hard batttle for HUL to match RIC.

    • + 0
    • Aug 30 2018 - 14:00
    • boudy

      Posts: 1,168

      Ferrari moving up, Mercedes Moving Down, Redbull moving up, Renault moving up, sauber moving up, Haas moving down, Williams moving up, Force india down.

      • + 0
      • Aug 30 2018 - 23:46

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Visa Cash App RB
  • Points 1,061
  • Podiums 24
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country AU
  • Date of b. Jul 1 1989 (36)
  • Place of b. Perth, AU
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar