Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in action during the race Pool via REUTERS/Giuseppe Cacace
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in action during the race Pool via REUTERS/Giuseppe Cacace
Red Bull Racing fans were treated to brief sights of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez taking to their latest challenger, the RB16B. Driving at Silverstone Circuit, the team utilized one of their filming days to collect the first set of data from their 2021 car.
Recently, Perez had also driven the team’s 2019 RB15 machinery to get a foundational understanding as part of the pre-season testing. After all, the Mexican will be driving Honda power for the first time in his F1 career. The 30-year-old driver revealed his first thoughts after completing a few laps in wet conditions at Silverstone.
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Quite an emotional day, said new Red Bull racer Sergio Perez
Speaking to the team’s website, he also indicated that the RB16B has made progress in terms of ‘grip and speed’.
Perez stated, “Driving a new car is always special – for the driver and also for the Team. They have been working so hard through the winter, so to finally take the car on track, it’s quite an emotional day.”
“I can say I think there is a lot of potential. The conditions were not great, but it was nice to get a feeling for the car.”
And that's a wrap! 👏 The Bulls are ready to #ChargeOn into 2021 🏁👊 #F1 pic.twitter.com/zq3s95HBmA
— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) February 24, 2021
Naturally, the Milton-Keynes-based outfit will gain significant knowledge once they officially get down to Bahrain testing. But in the limited time so far, having driven the 2019 car, Perez feels there is an improvement in the 2021 challenger in a few key areas.
“It’s pretty exciting. Earlier this week I drove the RB15 but today I could feel a step in overall grip and top speed,” concluded Perez.
The new driver pairing will be integral to Red Bull’s chances of winning the title
Red Bull has made no secret of the fact that it wants to claim back the Constructors’ Championship it last won in 2013. Every year since, Mercedes has come out with a superior car and taken home the titles.
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SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 10: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Racing Point walks out for the drivers autograph signing session during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
But the 2020 season finale in Abu Dhabi showed that Red Bull can go toe-to-toe with the defending champions and beat Mercedes at its own game. With the inclusion of Perez, Red Bull can also finally utilize a shrewder tires strategy that could challenge its rival.
Hence, the on-track abilities of Verstappen and Perez will be key to how the team goes about its business. Seemingly, Red Bull will be confident of putting up a much tougher title fight in 2021 than the last few years.
