Sergio Perez has disclosed that Red Bull engineers have apologised to him having recognised that it overlooked issues with its Formula 1 car when he was struggling.
Perez’s campaign endured a rapid downturn prior to the summer break as a wretched run comprising 28 points in seven rounds caused question marks over his drive.
But while Max Verstappen continued to notch victories and regular podiums, Red Bull’s problems have become so severe that even the Dutchman has been impacted.
Red Bull’s trouble with the RB20 hit a low point at the Italian Grand Prix earlier this month, as Verstappen called the car a “monster” as he grappled with balance woes.
The Monza weekend has transpired to be a turning point as Red Bull boss Christian Horner has admitted it traced back some weaknesses to last term’s dominant run.
Perez believes Verstappen being exposed to the obstacles that hampered him has vindicated his earlier complaints as the Austrian outfit aims to solve its difficulties.
Asked whether Red Bull was now valuing his feedback more in recent weeks, Perez told media including Motorsport Week: “In a way, yes.
“To be fair, some of the engineers after Monza came to me and apologise, in a way, because now it’s a lot clearer [what] the issues I was talking about [were].
“It was always the speculation around it and people saying the problem was I was not focused enough or other things.
“But at the end of the day, I’m just happy that we found out the problem and that we can focus on that and improve it.”
Perez believes Red Bull can take a ‘U-turn’
Perez’s results have taken a slight upturn since it was announced he would retain his place as he managed sixth place at Zandvoort and then placed eighth at Monza.
The Mexican outclassed Verstappen across the most recent weekend in Baku and was poised to attain a morale-boosting podium until a late clash with Carlos Sainz.
However, Perez has grasped solace in Red Bull appearing to be back on track as it prepares to introduce an update in Austin in a bid to overturn McLaren’s advantage.
“The problem I had earlier in the year is that I had a car that I couldn’t drive, I was just very uncomfortable with the car,” he explained.
“And it was very hard driving into the corners not knowing what it was going to do. It’s really difficult to maximise your performance.
“Now the team have found a lot of direction, a lot of our issues. So now, at least we know what the issues are and we can drive around them.
“Before we didn’t know and it was just all very difficult to drive and I’m just happy that it looks like we’re going in the right direction.
“I feel like if we’re able to confirm what we’ve done in Baku here [in Singapore], our season can take a U-turn, a massive U-turn and still finish strongly.”
Perez has divulged that his Red Bull car will remain with the latest-spec parts in Singapore – a venue where he won the race in 2022 – despite his crash last weekend.
“The lads, as usual, have done a tremendous job and we are on the latest spec,” said Perez. “Very surprised with it!
“The team is pushing flat out and I wasn’t expecting to be on the latest spec and by the looks of it I am.
“It just shows how hard we are pushing and it’s very encouraging and I really hope that I can pay them back with a great result on Sunday.”
