Media in the Dark: Perez Exposes F1’s Hidden Truths, Verstappen’s Growing Concerns, and the Baku Breakthrough
Sergio Perez Highlights Media’s Lack of Understanding Over RB20’s Issues
Sergio Perez, Red Bull driver, has expressed his concerns over the lack of understanding from “some people”, including the media, regarding the situation in which he continued to suffer from a crisis for almost the entire 2024 season.
Perez got off to a good start, finishing on the podium in four of the first six races, and quickly earned a two-year contract extension. However, in the next 12 races, he never finished in the top five or higher.
Max Verstappen, who also drives the RB20, is still in the running for the top spot, taking 2nd place on the podium at the Dutch GP after the summer break. However, in contrast to his 7 wins in the first 10 races, he has been far from winning the last six races.
Perez stressed that differences in driving styles had played a role in the extent of the problem, but Max is not sensitive to our problems. “What some people don’t understand, especially the media, is that different driving styles can lead to different conclusions. The problem is… well, it’s not a problem, it’s a good thing, but Max has a lot more problems than I do. The sensitivity is low.”
Perez also mentioned that he was complaining about these problems 10-12 races ago, but now they have become so big that even Max notices them. With the gap to second-placed McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship closing to eight points, the team is doing everything in its power to find a solution to the RB20’s issues with wind tunnel correlation and the unique balance of ground effects cars.
Regarding the poor run of results, Perez said it was not just an issue this season, but “probably the last 15 months” and that it was due to “the direction of the development of the car and the path we took.” He expressed hope that the introduction of these measures will lead to a car more suited to his style.
“The data shows this problem quite clearly and the team is very aware of it. I hope we can solve the problem soon so we can get even more performance out of the car,” Perez added.
As evidenced by his victories in 2021 and 2023, the Baku City Course is the circuit where Perez has achieved the most victories, with Red Bull winning the last three races, two of which ended with 1-2 placings.
Perez admitted he was unsure whether he could repeat his performance at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but said the RB20 in Baku on the simulator “felt the best balance of the season,” saying: “In theory, that’s the best. It feels like an opportunity and I think we can do well over the next couple of weekends.”