
Verstappen: Perez is my ONLY rival right now
F1 News
Verstappen: Perez is my ONLY rival right now

Max Verstappen is adamant team-mate Sergio Perez is the only man who can beat him in Melbourne this weekend.
The Dutchman comes into the third race of the 2023 season with a one point lead in the drivers' standings over his team-mate, courtesy of securing the bonus point for the fastest lap on the final lap of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The two Red Bull drivers have exchanged the top step of the podium in the opening two races as the RB19 has blitzed the competition so far.
Verstappen is clear favourite to win a third consecutive F1 title and reckons only Perez can beat him at this weekend's Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.
"I think (Perez) is my only rival at the moment," he told Sky Italia. "We have the same car, so we can both do better. This might change during the season, but he's the only one who can give me a hard time during the race."
Red Bull favourites in Australia
Bookmakers have Verstappen odds-on to win this weekend, whilst Perez is around the 9/2 mark with most, and odds-on to step on the podium.
Rain could play a factor though, after it disrupted the second practice session – with Fernando Alonso finishing top ahead of Charles Leclerc and Verstappen in third.

Verstappen had topped the charts in the first practice session of the day ahead of Lewis Hamilton, with Perez third.
The Mexican driver believes he will be able to compete for the crown this year, given the sheer dominance of the Red Bull car and the fact his team are behind him.
Perez said: "I’m very confident on the fact that we both have a car to fight for the title. I have my place and they respect me."
READ MORE: Jos Verstappen: His life in F1 and how he drove Max to greatness
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F1 Standings

Races
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Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
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Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
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Grand Prix of Australia 2023
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Grand Prix of China 2023
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Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
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Miami Grand Prix 2023
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Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
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Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
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Grand Prix of Spain 2023
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Grand Prix of Canada 2023
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Grand Prix of Austria 2023
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Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
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Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
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Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
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Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
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Grand Prix of Italy 2023
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Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
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Grand Prix of Japan 2023
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Qatar Grand Prix 2023
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Grand Prix of the United States 2023
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Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
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Grand Prix of Brazil 2023
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Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
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Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
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