Sergio Perez sets sights on Red Bull redemption in 2024 F1 season
- Rob Fleming
- 20 February 2024
As the anticipation builds for the 2024 Formula 1 season, Sergio Perez is gearing up for what could be a pivotal year in his career with Red Bull Racing.
The Mexican driver, entering his fourth season with the team, is determined to showcase his absolute best, addressing the challenges and learning from the setbacks of the previous campaign.
Perez, who joined Red Bull in 2021, notched five victories for the squad but faced criticism for inconsistency compared to teammate Max Verstappen, a three-time World Champion. Despite a promising start to the 2023 season with two wins in the first four races, Perez encountered a mid-season slump, culminating in a crash at the Monaco Grand Prix.
As speculation surrounded Perez's future, Red Bull faced calls to replace him for the 2024 season. However, Team principal Christian Horner reiterated the team's commitment to honour Perez's contract, emphasizing the need for improvement rather than a change in personnel.
With the final year of his current contract ahead, Perez acknowledges the importance of delivering strong performances to secure a potential extension. Reflecting on the challenges of the past season, Perez expressed optimism about the lessons learned and his readiness for the upcoming campaign.
"I feel fully fresh," Perez stated to media. "It's my fourth year with Red Bull, and I do expect to be at my best for this year."
Perez outlined his goals for 2024, emphasizing the need to maximize every opportunity from the outset and maintain consistency throughout the season. In preparation, he spent the winter break analysing past struggles to ensure history does not repeat itself.
"Understanding the difficult races, why they were so difficult," Perez revealed. "We managed to learn a lot."
Formula 1 enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the start of the 2024 season, with teams and drivers set to engage in pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit from February 21-23. The testing phase will provide a glimpse into the potential hierarchy of the upcoming season, setting the stage for an exciting year of racing.
Read More: FIA maintain silence on Christian Horner's future amid Red Bull investigation (planetsport.com)
