Sergio Perez has got behind the wheel of Red Bull Formula 1 machinery for the first time ahead of the shakedown of the RB16B.
Red Bull unveiled its updated 2021-spec car, dubbed the RB16B, on Tuesday, ahead of its shakedown on Wednesday at the British Grand Prix venue.
Perez and team-mate Max Verstappen are both due to drive the car, though only 100km of running is permitted, as per Formula 1’s regulations on track time outside of official sessions.
As part of his preparations Perez has been turning laps in Red Bull’s 2019-spec car, the RB15, at Silverstone across Monday and Tuesday.
The Mexican took to the track in both wet and dry conditions as he got up to speed with his new team.
“To look at my name on the car is something very special,” said Perez.
“It’s definitely a dream come true. We’ve already done a lot of work in the simulator working on the controls and I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made in terms of feeling more comfortable in the car.
“Everything about the car is different. It’s still an F1 car in the end but the seating position is different, the steering wheel, the brakes, the buttons, procedures, the engine and the power delivery, the torque, so many things are different.”
Test and reserve driver Alexander Albon, whom Perez has replaced, is due to drive the RB15 on Wednesday as part of the filming day.
Perez has joined Red Bull for 2021 after a decade in Formula 1 with Sauber, McLaren and Force India/Racing Point.
Elsewhere Red Bull’s sister team, AlphaTauri, has been in action at home circuit Imola, with Yuki Tsunoda continuing to gather experience in Formula 1 machinery.
Tsunoda has been running in the squad’s 2019 car, the STR14, adorned in AlphaTauri’s refreshed Formula 1 livery.
Ferrari has also been in action on Tuesday with Carlos Sainz Jr. driving a modified SF90 at Jerez as part of Pirelli’s tyre testing programme.
Alpine fielded a 2018-spec Renault R.S.18, dressed in its winter black livery, for Esteban Ocon at Paul Ricard on Monday while Alfa Romeo is scheduled to take to the track on Friday with its C41 for a filming day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
