Sergio Perez is among the most experienced racers on the grid. However, the veteran driver is unable to use this experience to his advantage. As a result, Perez finds himself in a never-ending slump, which might jeopardize his F1 career. Therefore, all the spotlight is on the Mexican racer, not for good reasons. The 34-year-old driver is criticized since the Red Bull management has retained him, sidelining other potential candidates.
However, Perez remains confident that he will make a solid comeback as he waits for the right opportunity. Meanwhile, he pointed out a flaw in the RBR F1 car RB20, which could be a possible reason behind his slump.
Checo Attributes His Performance Issues To RB20’s Technical Mishap
Red Bull technical head Pierre Wache was recently asked to highlight the RB20’s strengths and weaknesses. However, Wache responded unexpectedly, expressing that he believes the car currently has very few strengths. Similarly, Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen had been heard complaining on the team radio about the car’s weird behaviour. While McLaren and Mercedes are leaving a solid mark after every weekend, Red Bull is entangled with its technical woes. Further, Checo’s underwhelming performance is aggravating RBR’s frustration. The Mexican racer has not finished in the top five since the Miami GP. Moreover, he is adversely affecting Red Bull’s world title run.
Sergio Perez discussed the challenges faced by Red Bull with their RB20 car, as quoted by GPBlog. Perez noted that the vehicle has been “pickier and harder” to handle, attributing the issues to recent upgrades, setups, or even tyre interactions. He emphasized the car’s sensitivity and how minor changes have narrowed the performance window significantly.
Further, Checo acknowledged that other teams might face similar situations, but Red Bull’s struggles are more noticeable due to their high profile. Despite the challenges, Perez remains optimistic about potential improvements. He mentioned that he had tested some changes in the simulator, which felt positive and improved his connection with the car. However, he expressed hope that these changes would translate well to actual track performance.
F1 Pundit Labels Sergio Perez A ‘Broken Man’
According to Crash.net, Johnny Herbert did not mince words when evaluating Sergio Perez’s performance during the 2024 season. Herbert criticized Perez, describing him as the worst-performing driver of the weekend. He noted that he fell from a promising position on the front row to the back of the field. The former triple world champion remarked that Perez appears to be “damaged goods” and “a broken man mentally,” reflecting deep concerns about his current state.
Moreover, the veteran racer also suggested that Perez’s recent performances might activate a performance clause in his contract, which could potentially allow Red Bull to terminate his contract if his performance does not improve.