Red Bull Doubles Down on Perez Amid Struggles, Eyes Upgrades for 2024 Car
Red Bull Commits to Perez, Focuses on 2024 Car Development
In a move that puts an end to weeks of speculation, Red Bull has confirmed that Sergio Perez will remain with the team after the summer break, despite his struggles in the RB20 since May. The decision comes as a boost to Perez, who has been under pressure to perform, and marks a show of faith from the team in their driver.
Perez’s recent form has been a concern for Red Bull, with the Mexican driver collecting just 28 points since the Imola race. Meanwhile, team-mate Max Verstappen has been able to limit the damage, but Perez’s poor form has cost the team valuable points in the title fight. With McLaren closing in, Red Bull knows that Perez needs to step up his game to help the team stay ahead.
“We want the quickest car, but in a way that can be used by the drivers, that is the main aim,” said Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache. “If we make the car quicker in a way that Checo can use it, that means that both drivers will be able to extract the maximum out of it.”
Wache revealed that the team’s focus is now on developing the 2024 car to add performance that both drivers can utilize. This approach was also behind the team’s Hungary update package. Wache acknowledged that Perez struggles more than Verstappen when the car becomes more difficult to operate, citing the need for a car that can be driven by both drivers.
The solution, however, goes beyond simply adding downforce. According to Wache, the inherent nature of the current regulations means that performance upgrades can make the cars harder to balance and therefore more uncomfortable to drive, affecting Perez’s confidence more than Verstappen’s.
As Red Bull looks to help Perez out of his form dip, the focus will be on developing a car that can be driven by both drivers, while also addressing the challenges posed by the current regulations. With the 2024 season on the horizon, the team will be working hard to ensure that their car is competitive and that Perez can perform at his best.
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