In Saturday’s qualifying session at Suzuka International Circuit, Max Verstappen clinched pole position for Red Bull Racing. However, a remarkable final lap from his teammate, Sergio Pérez, secured a front-row lockout for the team, boosting their prospects for Sunday’s race and positioning them well for a significant points haul.
Pérez’s impressive drive didn’t go unnoticed, particularly by Red Bull senior advisor Dr. Helmut Marko. Marko commented on Pérez’s performance, noting his improvement from the previous year’s Japanese Grand Prix, where Pérez had a difficult weekend, qualifying fifth and finishing outside the points due to an early-lap collision.
Marko attributed Pérez’s success partly to the immediate effectiveness of car improvements made by the team. He also speculated that Pérez’s uncertain contractual situation, a topic of much discussion in the sport, could be serving as motivation for the driver to perform at his best.
One aspect that impressed Marko was Pérez’s performance in the first sector of Suzuka, particularly through the high-speed corners known as the “Esses.” Despite McLaren’s strength in this section, Pérez managed to keep pace with Verstappen, showcasing his skill and adaptability on the track.
Analyzing telemetry data comparing Pérez’s and Lando Norris’s fastest laps, it’s evident that Pérez excelled in the high-speed corners of the circuit, holding his own against Norris before pulling away in the subsequent sectors.
Pérez’s strong start to the season, coupled with his competitive showing in Sunday’s race where he finished just 0.066 seconds behind Verstappen, is challenging the conventional belief that his seat at Red Bull is up for grabs at the end of the season. With several drivers vying for the coveted spot alongside Verstappen, Pérez’s consistent performance may be solidifying his position as the best option for Red Bull Racing.
