Sergio Perez believes new team/driver partnerships will be playing catch up across the opening stages of the 2021 Formula 1 season owing to the relative lack of testing.
Perez has joined Red Bull Racing for 2021 but so far his on-track experience has been limited to a filming day, an outing in its two-year-old car, and one-and-a-half days of running in its RB16B in Bahrain.
Pre-season testing was cut from eight to six days for 2020 before being halved for 2021 owing to relative regulatory stability as well as the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
Eight of the 20 drivers are entering the season in new surroundings and Perez feels they will be slightly on the back foot through the opening events.
“Ideally I would like more running,” said Perez. “I mean, it’s crazy when I finished [on Sunday lunchtime], to think that that was it, that I have to jump into the race when we are back. It’s crazy to think that.
“But it’s how it is, you know. Changing teams is not ideal. So I think in that regard, the people that are changing teams are going to be in a disadvantage compared to the people that are carrying on or have experience with their teams.
“But it’s part of the game, and we just have to make the most out of it. Certainly, it’s very little time.”
Perez emphasised that the RB16B “has potential in it” and “we should be looking good once I get on top of the car,” suggesting the opening quintet of rounds will in particular be a steep learning curve.
“The best [thing] I can do is just be patient, and take the first races as they come. I will get more on top of things in the team.
“After five races, once we go through very different races, different conditions, you understand the car, the team, a lot better. Five races, proper races, should be good.”
