That’s the real world of the No.2 driver

Unhappy at being told to move over for Max Verstappen, Ted Kravitz says Sergio Perez is probably the “last person on God’s green earth” who doesn’t know he’s Red Bull’s number two driver.

That Perez is Red Bull’s number two driver was evident in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix as first his call to be allowed to pass Verstappen, who was stuck behind George Russell, was denied only for him to be ordered to do just that for Verstappen later in the race.

Perez was leading towards the end of the Barcelona race with reliability the only thing standing between Red Bull and a 1-2 finish.

Much to his surprise, the Mexican driver was then ordered to move over for Verstappen, handing his team-mate the lead and ultimately the race win.

Perez replied: “That’s very unfair, but okay.”

Crossing the line in second place, he told Red Bull: “I’m happy for the team, but we need to speak later.”

Sergio Perez told Red Bull “I’m happy for the team, but we need to speak later” regarding the team orders that saw him forced to surrender first place during the Spanish Grand Prix.#SpanishGP #F1https://t.co/JE4lNBDZhS

— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) May 22, 2022

That Perez doesn’t realise he is Red Bull’s number two was a surprise for Sky Sports F1 reporter Kravitz.

He said in his post-race notebook: “Perez, they wouldn’t let him pass Max Verstappen to try and get George Russell, and Perez proved that he was able to get George Russell by in fact getting George Russell when Max Verstappen had his spin, so Perez was right on that one.

“And then Perez not happy in the end about being treated essentially as a number two driver, but it’s the real world isn’t it Checo?

“Let’s face it, I think if you don’t realise that that’s your position in this team, then you’re probably the last person on God’s green earth who doesn’t realise that this is your position within the Red Bull team.

“And while it may say something Checo in your contract, then…