P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull rejected Sergio Perez’s request to drive an older version of the championship-winning RB19 car in 2023.
Red Bull driver Sergio Perez asked to drive a previous version of the car due to his struggles in the 2023 Formula One season. Perez’s best performances came in the early flyaway races, where he won two races and was in contention for the championship lead. However, his form declined after the Miami Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen outperforming him consistently. Perez failed to reach the top qualifying session for five consecutive events, and his performances have not improved since. Despite having a contract until 2024, there has been speculation about Perez’s future. Red Bull did not consider Perez’s request to drive a pre-upgraded car due to the associated costs and practicalities, as they already had one dominant car with Verstappen. Engineers believe the car has improved, but Perez has struggled to adapt.
Source: Crash
