P1racenews AI automatic summary:
There is no good time to have an airborne crash at the first corner of your home Formula 1 race. But no moment could be worse than the one Sergio Perez has endured
Sergio Perez’s hopes of ending a difficult season on a high were shattered when he crashed out at the first corner of his home Formula 1 race. This setback undoes his recent improvements and allows Daniel Ricciardo to close the gap in the championship standings. Red Bull, who wants Perez to finish second in the championship, considers this failure significant as they have never achieved a one-two finish in the drivers’ standings before. Meanwhile, Ricciardo is making a strong case to be Verstappen’s future teammate, and his impressive performance contrasts sharply with Perez’s self-sabotage. If Red Bull believes Ricciardo is a better option, they may make changes for next year, even if Perez is under contract. This situation serves as a major audition for both drivers, with potentially significant consequences.
Source: The Race
