MONACO: Multiple unfortunate incidents and mistakes causing a dismal race performance highlighted Sergio Perez’s Monaco Grand Prix weekend.
The Red Bull driver crashed his RB19 during qualifying, starting the race from the back of the grid while his teammate Max Verstappen secured the pole position.
Perez’s misfortunes continued on Sunday as he collided with Lance Stroll and Kevin Magnussen, enduring multiple brushes with the barriers that necessitated a front wing change.
Verstappen twice passed him, and he eventually came in 16th place, well outside of the points.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, described Perez’s qualifying crash as “not irresponsible, but unreasonable,” indicating his disappointment with the incident.
Marko emphasized that the race ultimately didn’t matter for Perez after the disastrous qualifying session. Speaking about Perez’s eventful race, Marko stated, “Everything went wrong there.”
Christian Horner, the team principal, admitted that it was simply not Perez’s weekend, acknowledging that nothing seemed to work in his favour.
Horner expressed hope that Perez would bounce back in the next race, remarking, “I would say the sooner he comes to Barcelona, the better.”
The race result widened the gap between Perez and Verstappen, with the Mexican driver trailing his teammate by 39 points in the championship standings.
Perez admitted to making a significant mistake, saying it was the first major error he had made in the championship. He apologized to the team and looked forward to moving on to the next race.
In contrast, Helmut Marko had only praise for Verstappen’s performance throughout the weekend.
Verstappen secured pole position with an impressive qualifying lap, maintaining control of the race in various weather conditions.
The Dutch driver won the race comfortably, crossing the finish line 28 seconds ahead of his closest competitor, Fernando Alonso.
Marko commended Verstappen’s skills, highlighting his ability to control the pace effortlessly in dry, semi-dry, and wet conditions.
The Red Bull advisor also praised the communication between Verstappen and the team technicians, emphasizing their effective collaboration in navigating the challenging race.
Verstappen’s victory further solidified his position as a strong contender in the championship fight.
As the Monaco Grand Prix ended, Sergio Perez reflected on his troublesome weekend, seeking to put the disappointments behind him.
With the next race approaching, Perez aims to reset and refocus, eager to make amends and contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming challenges.
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