Perez lifts Red Bull expectations in Singapore: 'Can handle this package'

Unlike Verstappen, Perez's RB20 set-up worked well, which was reflected in his pace in qualifying and the Formula 1 race. Perez started on the second row of the grid and looked set to fight for a podium finish and perhaps even the race win until he crashed with Sainz.

"It was such a shame in Baku for the whole Team, so much hard work had gone into getting a more competitive car on track for us and it was really showing," Perez looked back at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Perez was fast all weekend at the Baku City Circuit and looked set to extend his record points haul at the venue.

Perez aims for a podium or even victory in Singapore

Perez is encouraged by his speed in Baku and hopes to take that momentum to the Marina Bay Street Circuit. "We had the pace all weekend and now it’s about converting that pace into a podium in Singapore. The car has shown it’s capable with this package, so we need to get the set-up right across the weekend and execute our qualifying and race plan perfectly," he added.

Perez is known for being strong at the street circuits, and the F1 circus heads to another one this weekend. "I’ve won in Singapore before, in tricky conditions and, as everyone knows, I love a street circuit, there’s something special about a night race and this one is probably the best there is. On Sunday night I want us to be able to say we did the best we could to win this race and that’s what our full focus will be on from the moment we start work in Singapore," Perez said.

This article has been created in collaboration with Nicole Mulder

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