I call bullshit. Are you forgetting that Perez is still #2 in the WDC? And can we agree that none of Max's teammates have been able to drive the car, likely because the fact that it rotates around the nose is harder to drive for most people?

Do I like where Checo has finished lately? No. Does he deserve the seat? Absolutely. Hell, he was within one point if Verstappen earlier this year. You MIGHT be blowing this out of proportion. The car is great, but Max is the one that can squeeze the most of out it, whether by design or circumstance. That doesn't make Perez any worse of a driver.

Look at Ricciardo coming from McLaren and jumping into the Red Bull sim. The team said his form was unrecognizable. Lando would probably be TERRIBLE in the Red Bull until he got used to it. Even then, it would likely still suit Max better, meaning Lando would look foolish driving it. They built that car around Max, and it has paid off, but it has also cost a few drivers their reputations, and in some cases their careers.