For the first time since the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez will start a Formula One Grand Prix race ahead of his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen. The Mexican, who has shown spectacular form through the weekend’s practice and qualifying sessions, will start Sunday’s race from fourth position, having outqualified his teammate by 0.21 seconds.
While speaking following Saturday’s qualifying hour, Pérez described his fourth-place position as “unfortunate” due to his unsatisfactory performance in Sector 2.
“I didn’t get my best sector 2, which is unfortunate.”
He, however, also acknowledged that he performance throughout the weekend was a positive sign for Red Bull which he acknowledged had been struggling with their performance in recent races. He praised his team for the “tremendous job” that they had done to correct the issues that they had been experiencing, describing the recent improvements as “probably the biggest progress” that the team had made since the beginning of the 2024 season. He also highlighted the need for the team to continue improving “in the same direction.”
“On the other hand, it’s positive. I think the team has done a tremendous job on bringing the upgrades we had to correct the issues we’ve been having.
“We just need more in the same direction. The team is pushing flat out. We’ve had a very difficult period in the last few races, but I think we are definitely making progress. I think it’s probably the biggest progress we’ve made with the car since the beginning of the year.
“Hopefully, that can translate onto race pace tomorrow as well. We just have to keep on that direction.”
The Mexican driver, who won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in both 2021 and 2023, was asked if his previous victories around the Baku City Circuit had influenced his confidence around the circuit. While Pérez acknowledged that his previous success did help his confidence, he stated that his confidence in the RB20 had also played a significant role.
“Yes, but anyway, I think the car was allowing me to be confident. You know, because if I arrived here with a car that I’ve had for the entire season, I would have a similar result. I was able to have more confidence around the streets, and yes, it did help.”
While Pérez acknowledged that it was most important for the team to continue to improve the balance of the car, he reiterated his belief that the team was improving “in the right direction” and as needed.
“I think just the balance. It’s improving the balance.
“It’s definitely going in the right direction. I cannot talk too much in detail, but it’s in the right direction. It’s what we need. We just need more in it, more in that direction.”
Pérez also expressed optimism in the team’s ability to transfer the improved performance of the RB 20 to other circuits for the season’s remaining races.
“Yes, definitely. I think it’s been quite positive. We can see that we just need more in it.”
The Red Bull driver also spoke about the impeding incidents that had occurred between himself and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. While Pérez acknowledged the incidents, he indicated that he did not expect there to be any issue between himself and Sainz, stating that while they were competitive, they always kept things “fair” between themselves.
“Yes, unfortunately we came together again today, but we always race hard and fair between us.”
