The Hungarian GP weekend began in disastrous fashion for Sergio Perez as he suffered a crushing blow within the first five minutes of FP1. The Red Bull driver, already under immense pressure due to his recent lackluster performances, crashed at Turn 5, causing an early red flag. This early setback has put Perez in a challenging position, as the drama unfolds, Perez’s $150,000 mistake sets a challenging tone for the rest of his race weekend.

Sergio Perez’s recent performances have been far from ideal, as he struggled to make it to Q3 in the last five races and achieved a top-three finish just once during that period, while his teammate Max Verstappen has taken a win in all those races. And with Daniel Ricciardo’s return to AlphaTauri, replacing Nyck de Vries due to inconsistent performance, the pressure on Perez to perform has increased significantly. The Australian’s desire to return to the main Red Bull team adds another layer of intensity to the situation.

As the FP1 commenced, Perez’s hopes of a successful Hungarian GP were swiftly dashed. Negotiating Turn 5, he lost control of his RB19 after a slight brush with the grass at the corner’s entrance. The small misjudgment proved costly as Perez spun out and collided with the barrier, triggering an early red flag. Perez’s disappointment was palpable as he conveyed his frustration over the team radio, exclaiming, “No, I cannot believe this. F**k!” The crash left his car with severe damage, particularly to the front wing, incurring an estimated cost of $150,000, a costly mistake it seems.

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Struggling with recent form and mounting pressure Perez faces a critical test of his resilience and determination to bounce back. With Red Bull Racing now tasked with repairing the RB19 and dealing with potential spare parts shortages, the team must work diligently to ensure Perez is back on track for the upcoming sessions. Amid mounting pressure and questions about Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull, Max Verstappen has weighed in on Daniel Ricciardo’s return to F1.

Max Verstappen’s Take on Daniel Ricciardo’s Return

Max Verstappen, who was previously teammates with Ricciardo, admits that he never wanted the Australian driver to leave the Red Bull team when he departed in 2018. In a recent conversation with Ricciardo, Verstappen expressed his excitement about his former teammate’s comeback, especially after witnessing him drive the Red Bull car. While Verstappen welcomes Ricciardo’s return to the grid and acknowledges their strong rapport, he is also disheartened to see Nyck de Vries lose his seat at AlphaTauri due to Ricciardo’s arrival.

Verstappen’s sentiments reflect the camaraderie and competitive spirit within the Red Bull Racing team. He believes that if Ricciardo performs well with AlphaTauri, the opportunity to rejoin the top-tier team remains open. The Dutch driver’s positive stance on Ricciardo’s return adds another dimension to the pressure surrounding Sergio Perez’s position at Red Bull.

Will Sergio Perez rise to the challenge and find the form that has made him a winner in the past or Could this be the turning chapter for Sergio Perez?

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