Sergio Perez acknowledged that an increase in temperature disrupted the stability of his Red Bull Formula 1 car, preventing him from challenging for victory in Japan. Perez qualified just 0.07 seconds behind pole position Max Verstappen at the Suzuka circuit, securing a Red Bull front row lockout for the first time since their last triumph in Miami almost a year ago. However, during the race, the Mexican driver was unable to challenge his teammate as Verstappen pulled away, finishing 12.8 seconds ahead to secure his third win in four races in 2024. Perez’s chances were further hindered when he got stuck behind Lando Norris in the middle stint and had to overtake both Norris and Charles Leclerc, who was on a one-stop strategy. Perez revealed that he had been struggling with the handling of his RB20 due to the rising track temperature, which reached 40 degrees during the race. Despite these setbacks, Perez felt that the situation improved in the second and third sectors of the race.
Perez held onto his second position in the early stages of the race, following Verstappen by just one second when he faced a challenging moment in the second Degner corner.
“It was a pretty tricky corner. Many drivers had difficulties there today,” he explained.
“I went over the kerb and hoped to avoid any damage because these floors are easily affected. As far as I know, we didn’t suffer any.
“I understeered and went over the kerb. Once you’re on top, it’s game over. You just need to let the car go over because it’s better to be above than on top.
“I ended up with a lot of dirt on my tires, which took a lap or two to clean off. I lost a few seconds because of that.”
After his pit stop, Perez found himself behind the Mercedes cars and made bold moves inside the high-speed 130R corner to overtake both drivers.
“Yes, it happened at the same time,” he explained. “Being stuck behind one of the slower cars, considering their tire degradation, was quite penalizing.
“So I decided to take a risk. And it happened at the 130R corner both times.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner admitted he watched those moments with concern, but Perez denied feeling anxious about potential contact.
“No, it’s fun,” Perez replied when asked if the maneuvers were nerve-wracking. “It’s fun racing with two cars around there.”
Red Bull solidified their lead in both championships with a third one-two finish in four races, bouncing back from a disappointing weekend in Australia.
Looking ahead to the next race, Perez believes the similarities between Suzuka and the Shanghai International Circuit will be favorable for Red Bull.
“It’s a somewhat similar track, I would say, with a combination of high-speed and medium-speed sections,” Perez said about China’s return to the F1 calendar after a hiatus since 2019.
“If we are fast here, we can be fast in many other races. So it should be a good track for us as well.”
© 2024
The sports world is in shock with the bombshell news that has just been revealed. A reliable source disclosed that one of the biggest soccer stars is about to sign a new million-dollar contract with a world-renowned club. The news has caused a stir among fans and experts, who are eager to learn all the details of this historic transfer.
According to the source, the player, who is known for his exceptional skill and undeniable talent, is ready to leave his current club and join a team that promises to offer an astronomical salary. The negotiation is at an advanced stage and everything indicates that the agreement will be concluded soon.
This transfer promises to shake the structures of world football, as the player in question is considered one of the best currently. His arrival at the new club will certainly have a significant impact in terms of performance and popularity. Fans are excited about the possibility of seeing this star in action and eagerly await the official announcement.
The news has also sparked speculation about the future of the player’s current club. With the departure of their star, the team will need to find a way to fill this gap and maintain their performance at a high level. Executives are already working behind the scenes to find a suitable replacement and ensure that the team remains competitive.
While we await the outcome of this bombastic transfer, fans and experts continue to debate the possible consequences of this agreement. Some believe that the player is making the right decision, seeking new challenges and opportunities. Others, however, question his loyalty and criticize the pursuit of money at the expense of love for the club.
Regardless of the divergent opinions, one thing is certain: this transfer will mark the history of football and will be a topic of discussion for a long time. Fans are eager to see how this new phase in the player’s career will unfold and what the impacts will be on the global sports scene. Stay tuned for more updates on this bombastic news that promises to shake the foundations of football.
