Red Bull chief Helmut Marko made his feelings about Sergio Perez clear by naming another Formula 1 team's driver pairing as the best in the sport.
Marko's team have dominated the F1 grid over the last two years but haven't had things all their own way this season. They still top both the constructors' and drivers' standings - however, the likes of McLaren and Ferrari are putting up more of a fight.
Max Verstappen is still performing and won in Canada to extend Red Bull's lead over Ferrari in the teams' championship. team-mate Perez started the season well but has gone off the boil and scored just four points across the last three Grands Prix.
A new contract was announced the Mexican driver in the week leading up to the Montreal race. He was brought crashing back down to earth, though, as he qualified down in 16th and failed to finish the Grand Prix after struggling to make up places.
Red Bull may have backed their driver by handing him a contract extension but need Perez to vastly improve his results. And team adviser Marko showed he has reservations about the 34-year-old as he snubbed his own team's driver pairing to name a better one.
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Asked by Canada's Journal de Montreal for his take on the best driver duo in the F1 paddock, Marko replied: "Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at McLaren. They are young and they are hungry. Currently, they get along well and work well together."
Norris, 24, became an F1 race winner for the first time last month as he beat Verstappen to victory in Miami. Piastri, 23, has yet to match that achievement, but was very impressive in his debut season in the sport last year and has continued his fine form into the current campaign.
Helmut Marko made clear his reservations about Sergio Perez (Getty Images)Over the last year, McLaren made sure to tie both down to new long-term deals, aware of the talent they have on their hands. Both drivers have been targets for Red Bull in the past, especially Norris who was a top candidate to join Verstappen until the Briton committed his future to his current team before the start of the season.
As for Piastri, team principal Christian Horner admitted before the Australian had even made his F1 debut that he regretted not signing the talented youngster to Red Bull. He said: "There was an opportunity for Red Bull to look at him at the time and we didn't take up that option, which is something that I regret.
"What he went on to achieve is phenomenal, in Formula 3 and Formula 2. You either sink or swim in this business. He's a very, very capable driver, [so] I'm sure he's going to do very well."
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