Red Bull Takes Bizarre Decision as Sergio Perez Is Forced to Retire Twice at the Japanese GP

In 2023, Sergio Perez has experienced almost everything a driver could in F1. The Mexican won races, got pole, suffered crashes, retirements & whatnot. Coming into Japan, he would have hoped to have a clean good weekend. Perhaps not to be this season. In an episode of “Did that really just happen?”, Red Bull made heads turn and audiences double-check their screens at the Japanese Grand Prix. Checo Perez, the talk of the town (for not the best reasons), retired… twice. The Suzuka saga began with Perez ambitiously attempting to tiptoe between Ferraris and Hamilton’s Mercedes on the first lap.

This Lap 1 dance left his RB19 with a bruised front wing. Cue the Safety Car and a whirlwind of events as Checo overtaking during its deployment earned him a time penalty. Still, Suzuka had more plot twists for Perez. An overzealous attempt to overtake Haas’ Kevin Magnussen at the hairpin got messy, leading to another wing change and another five-second penalty.

Red Bull, possibly thinking “Let’s wrap this up,” called Perez in for an early shower. But if you thought that was the end, hold on. The plot thickened around 20 laps later when Red Bull, with a twinkle of mischief and strategy, sent Perez out again on Lap 41. Wait, there’s more! Seconds later, he’s back in the pits to serve his previously unserved five-second penalty. Cue collective audience gasps and frantic rulebook page-turning.

It turns out, that Red Bull played a genius card. Article 54.3 (d) of the Sporting Regulations had a little nugget of wisdom. If Perez hadn’t served that penalty and retired, he’d start with a grid penalty at the next Grand Prix. So, in a slick brain move, Red Bull ensured Checo’s race next weekend wouldn’t start on a backfoot.

Talk about thinking on your tires! As they say, a race isn’t just won on the track. Sometimes, it’s in the fine print. So, cheers to Red Bull for the drama, strategy, and a GP we won’t forget. On to the next one!

Read More: “Cars Are the Same”: Sergio Perez Gets No Sympathy From Max Verstappen as Embarrassment Continues

Still, before this whirlwind race, remember the qualifying drama that set the stage? It seems the Japanese Grand Prix was destined to be a roller-coaster for Perez from the start.

Sergio Perez’s qualifying blunder costs him Suzuka front row

At yesterday’s Japanese Grand Prix qualifying, Sergio Perez kicked himself for a tire strategy that might have cost him a front-row grid position. Having decided to use a second set of Softs in Q2, Perez probably hadn’t expected the McLarens to swoop in with a lead. His time had been good enough to advance, but that choice left him a tire short in Q3. In layman’s terms? Checo went in with a used set first, having saved his fresh rubber for the final run.

Sadly, he had clocked in only fifth. To add a pinch of salt to the wound, he was seven-tenths slower than his teammate Max Verstappen, who had snagged the pole. Speaking to the media, a visibly bummed Perez had said, “Definitely P2 and the front row was on the cards yesterday.” He went on, “Using that second set in Q2? Not my brightest moment.”

Note to self and all: Always keep an extra set of shoes (or tires) for the party! Best of luck to Perez and his team for the Qatar Grand Prix.

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