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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 01: Second placed Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates with donuts on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 01: Second placed Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates with donuts on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Red Bull have had three different drivers that tried out their second seat over the last three years. The drivers have had a hard time adjusting to the car and keeping up with Max Verstappen. Daniel Ricciardo moved to Renault after 2018; then came Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, who failed to live up to the expectations in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Sergio Perez has now replaced Alex Albon at Red Bull. Given the team’s history with drivers who have tried (and failed) to match up to Max Verstappen, there are significant doubts over how Perez will fare as the Dutchman’s partner.
In a recent interview, Checo explains why the Milton Keynes team’s drivers have had such a hard time adapting to the car.
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“It’s very different, I can already spot the differences. The strong front part of the vehicle etc. You can feel them, these are the first differences you encounter when you drive the vehicle and the simulator.
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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB13 TAG Heuer on track during the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
“You can detect them in a very short time. I think it’s clear that it’s a vehicle that not every pilot can adapt to,” explained the new Red Bull river.
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Sergio Perez acknowledges Red Bull RB 16B’s potential
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The Mexican explained that he has a lot of work to do ahead of the season. He needs to adapt to the car to ensure he does not end up like his predecessors. However, he does acknowledge the potential of the Red Bull beast.
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HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY – JULY 22: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Force India looks on before the Formula One Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring on July 22, 2018 in Hockenheim, Germany. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
“I can already see that there is potential in the vehicle, I can also detect differences. It was on the test tires and there were other things too, so I don’t want to make any conclusions. But I can see that the tool has good potential,” said the Mexican.
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Sergio Perez claimed his first career win last season, and that played a significant role in his signing with Red Bull. He is riding high with that momentum and hopes to capitalize on that going into the 2021 season.
Do you believe Sergio Perez will suffer a similar fate as Gasly and Albon? Or will he finally be the teammate Verstappen needs to topple Mercedes?
