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Former IndyCar driver and Sky F1 pundit Danica Patrick suggested some handy pointers for Sergio Perez to end his qualifying slump and make the most of the RB20 for the rest of the season.
Patrick advised the Red Bull driver to start his weekend on the right note by demonstrating speed in the practice sessions to build confidence for qualifying. She argued that Perez must qualify at the top end of the grid to achieve better results on race day.
Following Sergio Perez's eighth-place qualifying effort in the Spanish GP, and an unimpressive drive from 11th on the grid to P8 result in the race, Danica Patrick urged the Mexican driver to start his weekends on a stronger note.
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Speaking to Sky Sports F1, she said:
"I think he needs to show pace from the very beginning of a weekend. That way he has more confidence going into qualifying and gets himself in a better position."
Patrick added that Perez needs to pick his moves smartly in the race to carve his way to the front of the grid.
"He then needs to be smart in the race. He has an incredibly good car and needs to make the most of that," she added.
In the Spanish GP weekend, Sergio Perez registered the 5th, 13th, and 7th fastest lap times in the three practice sessions. He didn't make any improvements in qualifying settling for 8th, while his teammate Max Verstappen was in contention for the pole position.
On race day, a three-place grid penalty dropped Perez to 11th position. He was put on an aggressive three-stop strategy. Despite having the advantage of fresher tires, he was slower than his teammate Verstappen, who was on a conventional two-stop strategy.
The Mexican driver finished the race in eighth position, almost a minute behind his teammate, who clinched the race victory.
Red Bull boss urges Sergio Perez to return to his old form
The Mexican driver had a strong start to his 2024 campaign, clinching four podium finishes in the first five races. However, the Chinese GP marked his last podium visit. He has since lost momentum while his teammate has been maximizing results every weekend.
Christian Horner was satisfied with Red Bull scoring the most points in the Spanish GP (29) and believes it will be enough to win the Constructors' Championship. However, he wants Perez to get into the right mindset and return to his old form.
"If I'm not wrong we have scored the most points as a team, so as long as we keep doing that, the constructors' continues to look healthy," Horner told Sky Sports F1.
"Sergio had a great start to the year. We just need him to get back to that form that he had in first four or five races. we know he can do it. It's just getting him into the right headspace to deliver," he added.
Red Bull no longer has the advantage over its rivals as McLaren seems to have closed the gap. Sergio Perez's inconsistencies have spiced up the battle for the Constructors' title with Ferrari and McLaren a genuine threat to the reigning champions.
