(L to R): Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing in the drivers parade. 21.04.2024. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 5, Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China, Race Day.
According to Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, Sergio Perez is reaping the rewards in the 2024 Formula 1 season by not solely focusing on his teammate Max Verstappen. Perez faced immense pressure at the start of the season to secure a contract extension, especially after a tough previous season where he trailed Verstappen by an impressive 290 points. However, Perez has had an impressive start to the current season, claiming four podiums in the first five races, all in second place behind Verstappen. Although he hasn’t replicated his two wins from the same period last year, Horner believes Perez is thriving with lower expectations on him this time around.
During the Chinese Grand Prix, where Red Bull secured a one-two finish, Horner expressed his admiration for Perez’s performance. He stated, “You tend to underestimate him, but he is doing an exceptional job. He came into this season with a new mindset, driving the car with ease. He is not fixated on his teammate; instead, he has adopted a different approach. In the first five races, we have witnessed his remarkable performance. His driving skills are exceptional, and his confidence is growing. I hope he can translate this into another positive result tomorrow.”
Perez, who struggled to reach Q3 on eight occasions last season, attributes his improvement in consistency in the early stages of the 2024 season to his decision to stop experimenting with the car setup. Horner hinted that Perez has changed his approach for this season and praised his ability to handle the increasing pressure on his position within the team. Horner stated: “He is a crucial part of the team and it is vital that we work together collectively. He has a fantastic engineering support system and the team is performing admirably. He feels comfortable within the team, aware that his contract expires at the end of this season. He is driving with his future in mind. Perez responds to pressure in the best possible way, unlike some drivers who crumble under it. He has made some adjustments in his approach and his driving is truly exceptional.”
© 2024
