Verstappen and Perez return to Puma racing shoes after sore feet
F1 News
- Toby McLuskie
In 2023, Red Bull Racing switched to a different shoe brand. The team of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez swapped Puma for the Italian Sparco, but the drivers were dissatisfied with this, so both drivers are now back on the familiar Pumas, reports De Limburger.
Verstappen back on gold shoes
In 2022, the now two-time world champion drove the entire season with the gold shoes, as the Dutchman managed to win his first championship in 2021. However, the Dutchman returned to the traditional blue shoes at the start of 2023, due to a different shoe supplier. During the Grand Prix weekend in Spain, Verstappen suddenly had his gold racing shoes from Puma back on, as the Sparco shoes would cause painful feet for Verstappen.
Perez also has sore feet
Teammate Sergio Perez was already fed up with Sparco shoes after the test days in Bahrain. The Mexican and Verstappen had the same problem, sore feet. The Italian brand also supplies racing suits and balaclavas for the Red Bull drivers. Verstappen and Perez are satisfied with the racing suits, but the balaclavas are also said to be uncomfortable, writes De Limburger.