Mexican driver Sergio Perez, from Red Bull Racing team, expressed his belief that a team outside the leading group could have a strong performance in the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix of Formula 1. Despite the top five teams maintaining their advantage over the rest of the field this season, the differences in lap times have been minimal. This was evident in China last month, when Lewis Hamilton, despite being eight tenths of a second slower than the fastest time, was eliminated in the first qualifying segment. The unique street circuit in Monte Carlo may present challenges, but also offers an opportunity for underdog teams to stand out. Last year, Esteban Ocon secured a podium for Alpine from third position on the grid, showing the potential for unexpected results. Perez, who had a disappointing race in China, crashing in Q1 and finishing outside the points, believes that another surprising performance from a non-favorite team may be on the horizon. When asked if Ferrari and McLaren would be Red Bull’s main competitors this weekend, Perez replied: “I think they will definitely be in contention. They will be tough to beat. However, I also anticipate that other teams will surprise us. Given the close margin in qualifying, I am confident that some midfield teams will be able to put in a strong lap and be in the mix as well.”
The supremacy of Red Bull in Formula 1 has been facing increasing challenges since the reintroduction of ground effect cars in 2022. Both Ferrari and McLaren have made great strides in narrowing the gap between them and the reigning champions. McLaren’s updated MCL38, driven by Lando Norris, even secured a victory in Miami, while Norris almost managed to overtake Max Verstappen’s Red Bull in Imola last weekend. Red Bull driver Sergio Perez acknowledges that the pressure from these two teams has intensified and emphasizes the importance of updates for his own team.
Perez admits that Red Bull has not yet introduced a major update to their car, allowing McLaren and Ferrari to close the gap. He welcomes this competition with open arms and expresses curiosity about how McLaren and Ferrari will fare with cars capable of winning races. He believes it will be fascinating to watch their performance.
Reflecting on his own success, Perez highlights his rain-affected victory at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2022. However, he acknowledges that overtaking opportunities are limited on the narrow streets of Monaco. Therefore, securing a front row position in qualifying becomes crucial to have a chance of repeating his previous triumph. Perez emphasizes the importance of qualifying on the front row or at least the second row to have a chance of winning the race.
