P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Daniel Ricciardo’s return from injury comes just as Sergio Perez’s performances in the F1-dominating Red Bull look as shaky as ever
Red Bull has expressed the need for Sergio Perez to step up his performance in order to have a stronger chance in future championship fights.
Previously, Red Bull relied heavily on their 2023 car’s quality and Max Verstappen’s driving skills, masking any weaknesses with the second driver.
However, there is now a growing concern regarding Perez’s inconsistent form, especially during recent race weekends and qualifying sessions.
Red Bull recognizes the potential challenges from Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren in the upcoming seasons, and they cannot afford to assume their current dominance will continue.
The team urgently requires Perez to find his form, as demonstrated by the strong wording used by team principal Christian Horner.
Although Red Bull has previously dropped drivers for lesser performance, they currently lack viable alternatives to replace Perez.
Overall, Red Bull’s admission signifies their increased awareness of the driver situation and the need for Perez to improve his performance.
Source: The Race