F1 News
Perez recognises that it is a "crucial weekend" for Red Bull at the US GP
Sergio Perez knows that the United States Grand Prix will be a "crucial weekend" for Red Bull Racing. The Austrian team sit 41 points behind McLaren in the constructors' championship, with the British team finding far more pace and consistency over the 2024 season, highlighted by Lando Norris' dominant win at the Singapore Grand Prix last time out.
The 2024 season started superbly for Red Bull as they looked likely to take control of the season just as they did in 2023. However, the Miami Grand Prix was a major turning point, handing Norris and McLaren their first win of the season, catapulting themselves into the title battle. Since then, McLaren have improved throughout the season, while Red Bull dipped.
Now, entering the final six races of the season, the Austrian team know they need to find pace to claw the gap back to McLaren to try and earn their third constructors' championship in succession.
Perez hopes the upgrades will improve the RB20
Speaking in the paddock in Austin, Texas for this sprint weekend, Perez knows that those extra points on the table could be vital for Red Bull: "I think it's a crucial weekend in terms of seeing what the upgrades bring, seeing on a normal track or a very different track to the ones we've been to, if what we've done with the upgrades really put us back to bring up the balance."
Those upgrades that have been used to try and improve the balance of the RB20, something that has dogged the Austrian team throughout 2024, have made some positive changes. In Singapore, although Norris beat Max Verstappen by nearly 21 seconds, it was a huge improvement compared to his and Perez's Q2 exit last season.
"I think we're not looking for a massive improvement, we're just looking for a characteristic change, so let's see," concluded the Mexican. But with those upgrades, another development may hinder Red Bull's chances around the Circuit of The Americas this weekend, with the FIA announcing that a 'trick' that was used by the Austrian team to change their ride height can no longer be used ad adjusted in parc ferme. Red Bull have had to make changes to the RB20.
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