Sergio Perez endured a difficult weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix, finishing in a lackluster 10th place while teammate Max Verstappen secured second. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner emphasized the need for both drivers to perform at their best, as Perez’s ongoing struggles have put the team at a disadvantage in the Constructors’ Championship battle against McLaren.
A Frustrating Weekend for Perez
After a strong showing in Azerbaijan, where Perez outperformed Verstappen and looked set for a podium finish before a late clash with Carlos Sainz, the Mexican driver was unable to maintain that momentum on the streets of Singapore. Perez was eliminated in Q2 and started the race from an uncharacteristic position, managing only a 10th-place finish despite gaining three positions on the opening lap.
Throughout the race, Perez found himself stuck behind slower cars, including Williams rookie Franco Colapinto and Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg. His inability to overtake these rivals compounded his frustrations, as he lost a position to Sainz during the pit stop phase and was unable to recover.
“Checo, he was stuck around Hulkenberg for basically 30 laps,” Horner explained. “He qualified out of position, and then he just really struggled to overtake. He was struggling a little for traction in the areas where you want the traction out of Turn 3 and onto the back straight.”
Red Bull’s Championship Battle Under Threat
While Verstappen’s second place helped limit the damage, Red Bull’s grip on the Constructors’ Championship is slipping, as McLaren continues to close the gap. With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both finishing on the podium, McLaren has positioned itself as a serious contender, extending their lead over Red Bull to 41 points.
Horner stressed the importance of having both drivers contributing significantly, pointing out that McLaren’s consistency with double podiums is making a crucial difference. “We need to have two drivers firing on all cylinders,” Horner said. “We need to put some weekends together where you can see McLaren are putting two drivers on the podium. It’s those big points that really make a difference.”
Perez Calls for More Aggressive Strategy
Perez acknowledged his disappointing performance but also suggested that Red Bull could have been more aggressive with its strategy. He pointed to Ferrari’s tactical approach with Sainz, who managed to leapfrog several competitors with an undercut, as an opportunity Red Bull missed.
“In a way, yes,” Perez said when asked if he was disappointed not to make more progress. “I think also the strategy, looking at it, when you see where Carlos finished we probably lost an opportunity to make more progress and undercut more people. But once we went on a similar tyre age behind Nico, it was pretty much it.”
Looking Ahead: Red Bull’s Path to Recovery
With six races remaining, Red Bull faces a crucial period where every point counts in the Constructors’ Championship. While Verstappen remains firmly at the top of the Drivers’ standings, Perez’s inconsistent performances have hindered the team’s overall competitiveness.
For Red Bull, the focus will be on helping Perez find the right direction and deliver the kind of results that have eluded him in recent races. Horner’s message is clear: both drivers must perform at their best if the team is to fend off McLaren’s charge and reclaim the championship lead.
As Red Bull looks to the remaining races, the pressure is on Perez to improve and provide the support Verstappen needs to secure both titles. How Perez and the team respond to the challenges ahead will be critical in determining Red Bull’s fate in this year’s championship battle.
