Is it 2023 again? Max Verstappen takes pole position in Imola, while teammate Sergio Perez is already out in Q2. Particularly bitter: Both Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo in the Racing Bull made it into the final qualifying segment. The Mexican was 15 thousandths of a second behind in tenth place. This means that Max Verstappen is on his own in the Formula 1 race. What’s in it for Perez from eleventh place?
Perez: Too much grip in the Red Bull rear
It’s somewhat reminiscent of last year’s European season. While Max Verstappen storms to pole, Sergio Perez has problems in qualifying. History repeats itself at the first European race of the year. In Q2, Perez was over two tenths behind Verstappen.
“In my first Q2 run I had too much grip in the rear and then drove almost straight in turn seven. I lost almost three tenths there. Because the gaps were so close, it wasn’t enough,” Perez explains his retirement . Perez was just over three hundredths of a second away from George Russell in eighth place.
In fact, Perez loses three tenths on Verstappen in the area around turn seven. But why was the first attempt enough? Red Bull not out in Q2? “In the first lap of Q1 I took it easy, which was a bit risky. Then we went out again at the end of Q1, but my old lap was enough. I then had to use the worn tire at the beginning of Q2 ” said Perez.
When comparing used to new tires, there is a significant difference in grip. That could also have surprised Perez, at least Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko believes. “With the new tires he was a bit surprised by the grip. That was a bit unfortunate.”
Perez in the race: It will be difficult with the narrow field
This means that the second Red Bull in the field has to start the race from eleventh place. The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is not an overtaking-friendly track, so gaining positions is unlikely to be a sure-fire success, even in the Red Bull.
The Red Bull didn’t look competitive in the long run on Friday. “If the balance is not perfect, it can be very costly,” thinks Perez. This shouldn’t help when overtaking. “Overtaking will be difficult in this narrow field,” believes Helmut Marko.
At least: In the third free practice session, both Red Bulls seemed to have made progress with the setup. “Max made a lot of progress, but I also made progress. It was just an unfortunate qualifying session,” sums up Perez. Maybe the better setup will help the Mexican over the distance.