‘We couldn't have asked for better’ - Sergio Perez praised by Red Bull ahead of Azerbaijani Grand Prix
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Published 09/06/2022 at 21:58 GMT
Speaking ahead of the Azerbaijani Grand Prix this weekend, Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan has revealed how impressed the team are with Sergio Perez's recent performances. He has also explained the issues with Max Verstappen’s car and the steps taken to correct them ahead of the race at the Baku City Circuit.
Sergio Perez Mendoza (MEX) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 Honda, winner of the race seen during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco 2022 at the Circuit de Monaco on May 29, 2022 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.
Image credit: Eurosport
Sergio Perez is an excellent team-mate, who is doing "extremely well" at Red Bull, that is according to chief engineer, Paul Monaghan.
Perez heads to Baku for the Azerbaijani Grand Prix having won a fortnight ago in Monaco to collect a second Grand Prix win as a Red Bull driver after success in Azerbaijan in 2021.
The Mexican has competed with - and at times pushed - team-mate and defending world champion Max Verstappen this season, with Perez ordered to let Verstappen pass at the Spanish Grand Prix. Perez called those team orders "unfair" but has since cleared the air with the team, and Monaghan says Red Bull are very happy with the Mexican.
"Checo is driving extremely well this year, and he does find the car is not always to his liking but it's one that he can drive," Monaghan said.
"I think last year's car, don't forget that we were coming to the end of a set of regulations which had evolved, and we'd evolved with Max. And then Checo got in and, as a team-mate to Max, we couldn't have asked for better, could we?"
Verstappen has suffered with technical issues recently - most notably in Barcelona where a DRS problem left him unable to pass the Mercedes of George Russell - but Monaghan says those issues have now been solved.
“Our DRS problem was self-inflicted, I think if we are honest, so now we've learned our rather painful lessons," he said.
“There is a sigh of relief after the work that some very clever people did, the research and the checks. They did a phenomenal job in a very short period of time.
“Will he [Verstappen] complain after the race win or lose or whatever? Complain is the wrong word, will he have his usual constructive criticism? Yes, of course he will. I think we should expect that from both of them.”
Perez sits third in the championship, 15 points behind leader Verstappen, who is on 125 points, nine clear of second-placed Charles Leclerc of Ferrari. With Verstappen’s technical problems solved and Perez continuing to show good pace, Baku represents an opportunity for both drivers to lay down a championship marker.
Monaghan says there is not much between either driver but added that Verstappen is driving as well as he ever has.
“I don't know if one is more comfortable than the other. I think Max is driving as well as I've ever seen him drive. We'll see what happens towards the end of the year,” he added.
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