Crimson Bull crew principal Christian Horner has insisted there was no purpose for Sergio Perez to not have adopted Max Verstappen by the sector and scored massive factors on the Brazilian Grand Prix.
At his request, Perez modified chassis in Brazil in a bid to rediscover his kind, however might solely qualify thirteenth for the dry dash race earlier than coming by to eighth within the 24-lap contest.
After one other Q2 elimination in qualifying, albeit only a place behind team-mate Verstappen earlier than the three-time champion’s five-place grid penalty, Perez began twelfth. But, in a race that included an early spin, one other battle with potential successor Liam Lawson and a red-flag delay, the Mexican might solely handle to make up one place by the top of the race.
That was in stark distinction to Verstappen, who remarkably recovered from seventeenth on the grid to take his first victory for the reason that Spanish Grand Prix.
“It was a tough race for Checo,” defined Horner within the aftermath.
“Spinning originally of the race drops him down. It was a possibility within the constructors’ to take a giant chunk out of each Ferrari and McLaren and sadly, we have not been in a position to capitalise on that.
“Clearly, that is irritating, however we’ll go away and take a look at it and are available again hopefully preventing exhausting in Vegas.”
Sergio Perez, Crimson Bull Racing RB20, sprays mud as he tries to rejoin after a spin
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures
On whether or not there was a technical purpose holding Perez again from matching Verstappen’s cost by the sector, Horner mentioned: “Not that I am [aware of]. There was nothing evident to me within the race.”
Perez defined after the race that “we began the race with very chilly tyres” and was instantly overtaken by the impressed Verstappen on the opening lap earlier than his spin dropped him to the again of the sector and into restoration mode.
Taking full moist tyres simply earlier than the pink flag, the place Verstappen stayed out on his beginning inters, additionally meant he didn’t capitalise on the chance for a free tyre cease that aided his team-mate’s victory bid.
“It was a complete catastrophe,” Perez mentioned. “Actually nothing labored.”
The failure to achieve the factors as McLaren and Ferrari remained forward of Crimson Bull within the constructors’ standings despite Verstappen’s penalty has led to additional stress on Perez as his future stays unsure.
Requested whether or not Crimson Bull had now reached the purpose at which a driver change is a necessity, Horner replied: “Every part in life is subjective.
“You have to have a look at the information. We’re working exhausting with Checo. He had a chassis change this weekend. I assumed he drove a great [sprint] race however [the grand prix] wasn’t his day.”
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