Perez not expecting Red Bull to improve: 'Ferrari are just not reachable'

Sergio Perez found the RB20 'terrible' to drive on Friday. The Mexican struggled in the RB20 and - like teammate Max Verstappen - failed to achieve good lap times. He finished 12th in FP1 and 8th in FP2. Perez said Red Bull must improve significantly if they are to fight with Ferrari in Monaco.

Red Bull Racing struggles in Monaco

Much like Imola, both Red Bull drivers had a difficult Friday in Monaco. Max Verstappen indicated after the first two free practice sessions that their problems would not be solved easily. Sergio Perez agreed with his teammate. "It's very tough. I think our limitations are really hard to get away from at the moment. Yes, we'll see what we can come up with tonight. We'll run two cars slightly different. I don't know what the issues for Max were. Plenty of things. The long-run pace seems to be in a better condition, but obviously, it's just too late." Perez told Sky Sports.

Charles Leclerc was much faster than the Red Bulls in practice. Perez thinks Ferrari will be the fastest in qualifying at Monaco, replicating their practice performance. "I think Ferrari at the moment are just not reachable. I think they're really strong. Whenever they need the lap, they just seem to put it on really easy, really quick. It's something that is quite a benefit around this place to be able to put the lap in quick when and whenever you need to. They're looking very strong at the moment."

The Mexican has very little faith that his team can make a turnaround, as they did in Imola. Indeed, there is more than one problem with his RB20. "I don't think it's only one. I think we have a few items that we need to be able to improve and then hopefully it can put us back in the fight and just be closer to the top. I think it's looking tough."