Different driving styles masked Red Bull struggles says Sergio Perez

Sergio Perez (34) indicated that he might gain more from any resolution to the car issues affecting Formula One champions Red Bull than his teammate Max Verstappen (26).

The Mexican driver informed reporters prior to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that the difficulties may have been obscured by the distinct driving styles of the two racers.

Red Bull, along with the once-dominant triple champion Verstappen, is currently experiencing a six-race losing streak, with the Dutch driver finishing sixth in the most recent Italian Grand Prix, which was won by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

At present, Red Bull holds an eight-point advantage over McLaren in the constructors' standings, with eight races remaining. However, they risk falling behind their competitors in Baku as the season transitions into its final long-haul segment.

McLaren's Lando Norris trails Verstappen by 62 points in the drivers' championship, while Perez, positioned seventh in the standings, has not finished in the top three in the last 11 races.

When asked about Verstappen's recent comments regarding Red Bull's performance, Perez suggested that the team may not have fully recognized the extent of the issues, as Verstappen appeared to be managing them effectively.

"It wasn't immediately clear that there was an issue with (Max's) driving style, whereas my own driving style made the problems more evident, likely since the third race of the season," the Mexican elaborated.

"The challenges I faced have only intensified, and now Max seems to be encountering similar difficulties.

"Addressing these issues will benefit both drivers, but it will be particularly advantageous for me due to my driving style," he stated.

Red Bull's chief engineer, Paul Monaghan, commented on Friday regarding the car's upgraded floor, expressing hope for an improvement in performance during Sunday's race.

"We've taken time to reflect and learn from our experiences. The true test will be on Sunday, but we have made efforts to implement changes to enhance the car," he remarked.

SportsLigue