BAKU, Azerbaijan — After a race that ended Sunday with Sergio Perez within the wall and teammate Max Verstappen being overtaken by his title rival Lando Norris, there are nonetheless indicators of optimism at Crimson Bull.
Norris lower into Verstappen’s Components 1 standings lead, and McLaren took the constructors’ championship lead off Crimson Bull, whereas Verstappen now hasn’t received in seven races. The Dutch driver does, although, appear happier with a automotive he had labelled a “monster” and “undrivable” after the final race in Italy.
Giving up three factors to Norris wasn’t very best, however Verstappen nonetheless has a lead of 59 factors and 7 rounds remaining. He was optimistic the automotive was extra aggressive after Friday observe however stated the group made the incorrect setup choices for him in Saturday’s qualifying, which additionally utilized to the race.
“We learnt so much. We are going to attempt to do higher,” Verstappen stated. “If we do a greater job ourselves, they (McLaren) must do an ideal job to the top of the 12 months.”
And Perez appears to be again.
Perez was third for a lot of the race and was difficult the 2 Ferraris for second when he and Sainz collided. It confirmed he could possibly be an element within the remaining races of the season regardless of not having been on the rostrum since April — a run that noticed his place within the group being questioned.
“The optimistic factor is the tempo is again, the adjustments to the automotive appear to have put us again in competition,” Perez stated in a group assertion Sunday, arguing that he was a contender for the win in Baku. “We have to stick with it with the progress we’ve made.”
Perez typically does effectively on avenue circuits — with Singapore subsequent week — and there’s additionally his house race in Mexico developing subsequent month. When he’s on type, Perez has been priceless in retaining rivals off Verstappen.
Crimson Bull introduced what was described as a “subtly revised” flooring to Baku. It is likely to be the group’s solely improve all season which has appeared to make the automotive extra — not much less — aggressive.
