Grand Prix: Sergio Perez says he has Red Bull’s backing to challenge Max V.

Sergio Perez says he “fully believes” that he has Red Bull’s backing to challenge Max Verstappen for the world championship this year.

The Red Bull drivers have one win each this year and Verstappen leads Perez in the championship by just a point ahead of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.

“When I first came to the team, things were very different,” said Perez, who joined for the start of 2021.

“Basically, they were just going racing with two cars because they had to.”

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The 33-year-old added: “I can now say that I really feel part of the team, have my place and am well respected.

“I really believe I have the team’s full support, as much as Max does, and that I will have every opportunity to win the championship, as much as Max.”

Red Bull are perceived as Verstappen’s team and in the past Perez has been used as a back-up driver to aid the Dutchman’s cause.

But following their dominant start to the season, Red Bull have found themselves essentially unchallenged and Perez is determined to use the opportunity to make his first bid for the F1 title.