Beating Max Verstappen in equal machinery may just be the most difficult task in Formula 1 right now. Since Daniel Ricciardo left Red Bull, three have tried and three have failed. First, it was Pierre Gasly, who only survived for half a season before Red Bull demoted him back to Toro Rosso. Alex Albon moved the other way but he was off the grid entirely within 18 months. Sergio Perez has at least found a degree of stability, now in his fourth season alongside Verstappen. The Dutchman has won the title in all three of those campaigns, with Perez struggling to get near him. Last year, the Mexica…
