Red Bull is exploring a significant change to boost Sergio Perez’s performance as the team aims to secure their third consecutive Constructors’ title.
- Perez has struggled since the start of the season, with no podium finishes since April’s Chinese Grand Prix.
- Red Bull’s senior officials, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner, recently held discussions regarding Perez’s future with the team.
- To improve Perez’s performance, Red Bull is contemplating reverting to the early-season RB20 specification.
- The hope is that this change will help Perez recapture his strong form from the initial races of the season.
Sergio Perez has found himself in a difficult position, with his future at Red Bull under threat. An alarming drop in performance has seen him fail to secure a podium finish since April, and he currently holds the seventh position in the Drivers’ Championship. This led to a crucial meeting between Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko and team principal Christian Horner to address the issue.
Despite the summer break, Red Bull decided to keep Perez alongside Max Verstappen. However, the team’s dominant position in Formula 1 is slipping, with McLaren reducing their lead in the Constructors’ Championship to just 42 points. Red Bull recognizes the need for Perez to greatly improve his performance to help secure another title.
According to ESPN, Red Bull is considering returning to the early-season RB20 spec for Perez. This is seen as a potential solution, given Perez’s strong performances in the initial rounds of the season, including three second-place finishes in the first four races and a podium finish in China.
Helmut Marko expressed confidence that the situation with Perez could be turned around, stressing that not all the responsibility lies with the driver. Marko indicated that making the RB20 easier to drive is crucial for improvement. He noted the challenges of being Verstappen’s teammate and acknowledged Perez’s merits, highlighting that the car’s stability is a key factor.
Marko explained that a more challenging car disproportionately affects the gap between Perez and Verstappen due to Verstappen’s extraordinary talent. He emphasized the importance of making the car more balanced, which both drivers desire. Red Bull’s strategy is to continue with Perez, aiming to stabilize his performance, which has seen significant fluctuations.
While the Constructors’ Championship remains contested, Max Verstappen maintains a commanding 78-point lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris in the Drivers’ Championship.
As Red Bull looks to regain its dominance, the potential return to the RB20 spec for Sergio Perez could be the key to turning around his season.
