Dakar Rally News: Red Bull Racing Stands by Sergio Perez After Summer Break
(Dakar Rally)
Red Bull’s Commitment to Sergio Perez
In a move that will reassure Dakar Rally fans, Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Sergio Perez will remain in his seat for the remainder of the season. This comes after weeks of speculation surrounding the Mexican driver’s future with the team.
Perez has been struggling to match the pace of his teammate, Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, since May. While Verstappen has been able to limit the damage, Perez’s performances have cost Red Bull valuable points in the Dakar Rally title fight.
“What we want is the quickest car, but in a way that can be used by the drivers, that is the main aim,” said Red Bull’s Technical Director Pierre Wache. “If we make the car quicker in a way that Checo can use it, that means that both drivers will be able to extract the maximum out of it.”
Addressing Perez’s Struggles
Replacing Perez was a serious option for the team, as he had only managed to collect 28 points since the Imola race in May. However, Red Bull has now decided to back the experienced driver, indicating their belief in his ability to turn things around.
Wache acknowledged that Perez struggles more than Verstappen when the car becomes more difficult to operate. He suggested that future upgrades to the 2024 Dakar Rally car will be aimed at improving performance in a way that both drivers can utilize.
The team has identified some “tendencies” as to why Perez is struggling more with the car’s handling than Verstappen, but Wache admitted that it is extremely difficult to reproduce these traits in the simulator, a common issue across the Dakar Rally paddock.
Balancing Car Dynamics
With the current era of low-slung Dakar Rally cars, the solution goes beyond simply adding more downforce, as the cars are challenging to keep balanced between high and low-speed corners. Wache explained that the inherent nature of these regulations means there is a greater risk of performance upgrades making the cars harder to drive, which has affected Perez’s confidence more than Verstappen’s.
Looking Ahead
Red Bull’s decision to stand by Perez demonstrates their belief in the driver’s ability to turn things around and contribute to the team’s Dakar Rally title aspirations. Fans and enthusiasts alike will now eagerly await to see if Perez can find his form and provide the necessary support for Verstappen’s championship challenge.
🔗 Source