Red Bull could take a step back, returning to the version of the RB20 from the beginning of the season, to resolve the problems that have afflicted Sergio Perez in recent races. According to ESPN, the Anglo-Austrian team is evaluating this possibility to help the Mexican driver regain his lost confidence. After a promising start to the season, Perez has seen his results deteriorate, to the point where he has failed to rise above seventh place in three of the last eight races. With Red Bull only 42 points ahead of McLaren in the constructors' championship, it is essential for the team to find a more competitive Perez, especially in the final nine races of the season.
The problems for Perez began with the first updates
According to what emerged in these latest races, Perez's problems would have started with the first updates introduced by Red Bull, which not only did not satisfy the Mexican driver, but they also made the car perform less well in Max Verstappen's eyes. At Silverstone and Hungary, Perez failed to even get past Q1 in qualifying, marking a negative turning point in his season. Currently seventh in the drivers' standings with 131 points against Verstappen's 277, Perez is the only one of the eight drivers from the top teams who has not yet won a victory.
Despite the difficulties, Red Bull has no plans to replace Perez, who has signed a new contract until the end of 2025. However, the pressure on him has increased significantly, with McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes all having achieved at least one victory after the Miami Grand Prix, seriously threatening Red Bull's leadership in the constructors' championship.
Red Bull wants to restore Perez's confidence by returning to the old RB20
Perez's crisis was attributed by himself to factors linked to the development of the RB20. In particular, the driver highlighted how the introduction of updates has made the car more difficult to drive, reducing the optimal performance window.
Max Verstappen also encountered problems with the new configuration of the RB20, underlining how the car is no longer the dominant one at the start of the season. Red Bull technical director Pierre Waché acknowledged the team's difficulties in providing drivers with a car capable of expressing its full potential, especially in Perez's hands. Waché highlighted how the lack of stability is a shared problem, and that the team is working to improve the situation, trying to bring the RB20 back to the performances that had made it unbeatable in the early stages of the championship.
Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have confirmed trust in Perez, deciding to keep him for the rest of the season despite internal and external pressure. However, time is running out and Perez will have to prove he can repay this trust by contributing crucial points in the fight for the constructors' title.
With the championship now coming to an end and McLaren ever closer, Red Bull will have to quickly find a solution to become competitive again and defend the constructors' title, ensuring that Perez can also contribute in a decisive way.
Source: FormulaPassion
