Red Bull ​F1 Boss:‍ Sergio Perez Deserved More

Red Bull Racing⁣ F1 team boss Christian Horner insisted Sergio Perez “deserved more” at the⁤ Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, but⁣ he failed to avoid a dramatic collision with Carlos Sainz Jr. ‍on ⁣the penultimate lap.

Sergio Perez was on the verge‌ of ⁢achieving his best race finish since the Chinese Grand Prix, but contact with Sainz’s Ferrari on lap 50 prevented both drivers from completing the race.

Perez ran comfortably in third place for much of the afternoon, often chasing ‌second-placed Charles Leclerc, but⁢ Sainz caught up in the closing stages, forcing the Red Bull ‍driver‌ onto the defensive.

Sainz managed to⁢ pass Perez ⁢with two laps to go, but as Perez also tried to pass him, the two cars got tangled up ⁤and crashed into the barrier, prompting the virtual safety car to be deployed.

In an interview with Sky Sports F1 after the race, Horner said the driver “deserved better”, adding: “At least we should have been ​on the podium today.”

“It’s very disappointing. Today’s race was ruined for the Czech Republic. We suffered a lot and obviously lost important points ‌in the ⁤constructors’‌ championship.”

“It was a fantastic ⁢race for many laps. It was great ⁢to be a part ​of that race and exciting to be ​a part of it. It’s a shame it had such an ending.”

Perez had achieved poor ⁤results in recent races as problems with his car arose,⁢ but made a remarkable comeback at the Azerbaijan⁤ Grand ‍Prix, ⁣leading Horner to believe he could win.

Red Bull is currently 20 points behind McLaren in⁤ the constructors’ championship.

“Unfortunately, he lost a lot‍ of⁣ time to Alex Albon on his out lap and⁤ then ⁤lost track position to Oscar (Piastri) because of⁤ Lando (Norris),” Horner said. “If it hadn’t been for that, I think he​ would have won​ the race today.”

“It’s one of the saddest things for him and for the team,​ to try so hard to lose the podium with a few laps to go⁢ in the ​race.”

Despite retiring, his performance appeared on average to be better ‌than that of teammate Max Verstappen, ‌who finished fifth behind championship⁤ rival Norris.

Discussing the difference in confidence in Baku, Horner explained that​ Perez had “found a good pace and a good set-up” and had ⁣a “very quick” car ahead of the race.

“We may have introduced‍ some‌ things into Max’s car that didn’t work well and I think fighting in that group for so⁢ long damaged the tyres a ​bit,” Horner added. “If you look at George Russell’s stint, he started really slowly and then got ​into the rhythm and the tyres were better at the end. So it’s really, really frustrating.

Category: Formula 1 ‌/ Red Bull Racing / Sergio Perez ‍ / F1 Azerbaijan GP