When Sergio Perez managed to safe a second beginning place towards all expectations throughout qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, Crimson Bull started to hope for a podium end for the Mexican driver. Nevertheless, every part went downhill in the course of the race, as Perez didn’t defend his second place and finally crossed the road in eighth place. George Russell’s disqualification allowed him to maneuver up a spot, however Perez was unable to attain greater than seventh place.
Staff boss Christian Horner indicated after the race that this was not the outcome the group had hoped for. “With that first beginning row in hand, we had hoped earlier than the race {that a} third and fifth place could be potential. That fifth place did come (with Max Verstappen, ed.), however that third place didn’t occur. So we must have a look at the info to know precisely the place Perez misplaced time and tempo. Along with his beginning place in thoughts, we definitely didn’t assume that he would end eighth.”
Horner additionally is aware of that Perez has been struggling for a very long time, however now primarily expresses shock. “Sergio has actually struggled, that is true. However we do not perceive how he may begin the season so nicely, solely to fall again a lot however then immediately ship efficiency in qualifying. We actually want to research the place precisely the issue originates, however happily we have now the time for that now and we will work on it with him.”
“We’re after all continuously busy analysing and taking a look at all kinds of issues, however we even have that assembly on the Monday after the race. That’s actually not nearly Sergio, as a result of there are different matters on the agenda. That’s normal in the course of the summer season break. For Verstappen, for instance, it’s good that he goes into the summer season break with a barely bigger lead, whereas we at the moment are lacking out on seven or eight factors within the constructors’ championship. We actually must put that proper after the summer season break.”
Clear objective
Horner can not deny that Perez has all the time been of nice significance to Crimson Bull. “You’re taking so many issues into consideration, however the partnership between Max and Sergio has been glorious all this time. Sergio works nicely in a group and that’s the reason we put him subsequent to Max in 2020. He has already received about six races for us, was second within the drivers’ championship final 12 months and has achieved I do not know what number of podiums for us.”
“This driver mixture is essentially the most profitable mixture we have ever had, however that makes it much more irritating to see Sergio actually struggling. We’re all unhappy to see him struggling as a result of we would like him to achieve success. The group has all the time been behind him and nonetheless is as a result of all of us wish to see him succeed as a result of it is actually laborious to see him on this scenario.”
The objective for the approaching months is due to this fact crystal clear whether it is as much as Horner: to assist Perez within the races which might be nonetheless to return. “We’re in a terrific place in the intervening time and have all the mandatory info at our disposal. Our precedence in the intervening time is to assist Sergio as finest as we will and perceive what he wants from the group, in order that we will flip this case round. We wish to see good performances from him once more.”
