P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Sergio Perez has admitted that he has been “grateful” to endure a “tough” 2023 Formula 1 season and hopes that
Perez finished just one point behind his teammate Verstappen in the standings, winning two of the first four races but failing to secure any further victories. Verstappen went on to win 17 of the remaining 18 rounds, securing a substantial 290-point lead over Perez, the largest winning margin in championship history. Perez struggled in qualifying, missing out on the pole position shootout on nine occasions. He hopes that Red Bull can provide him with a car that suits his driving style better next year, as this year’s dominant car was challenging for him. Perez had a positive experience during the post-season test, completing 117 laps and gaining valuable information for the 2024 season. He believes that the test days are crucial for the team’s preparation and productivity. After a difficult period, Perez’s return to form was credited to a three-day simulator run. He believes that if he had understood the intricacies of Red Bull’s car earlier in the season, his results would have been significantly better. He is grateful for the challenging season, as it provided him with a deeper understanding of the car’s philosophy and hopes it will pay off in the upcoming year.
