Red Bull’s Perez Battles Through to Fifth Place in Melbourne
As the lights went out at the Australian Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez found himself starting in sixth place after receiving a three-place penalty for impeding. Despite losing a position to George Russell at the start, Perez fought his way back to finish in an impressive fifth place.
However, it wasn’t an easy race for the Mexican driver. He reported that the balance of his car was off, and after the race, the team discovered that a tear-off had become lodged in the floor of his car. This caused significant load loss and affected the car’s performance.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner praised Perez’s pace, saying that he was matching that of the leaders as he made his way through the field. However, the tear-off issue ultimately hindered his performance and caused tire degradation.
Horner also revealed that the impact on downforce was significant, with a loss of over 20 points. This highlights the sensitivity of these cars and how even the smallest issue can have a major impact on performance.
Watch: F1 2024 Australian Grand Prix Review – Ferrari On Top Down Under
When asked if Perez could have challenged the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc without the grid penalty, Horner believes that the Italian team still had the edge.
But Perez remained optimistic, suggesting that the Albert Park track may simply not suit Red Bull’s car. He pointed to their struggles at the Vegas track last year and believes there may be something in the tarmac that doesn’t suit their car.
Despite the challenges, Perez’s performance was still impressive, and he managed to secure valuable points for the team. Red Bull will now focus on understanding the issues and improving for the next race.
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Conclusion:
Despite the challenges faced by Perez and Red Bull at the Australian Grand Prix, the team remains optimistic and determined to improve for the next race. With a strong performance from Perez and valuable points secured, Red Bull will continue to push for success in the 2024 Formula 1 season.
