The Daily Guardian: Horner finds it challenging to explain the gap between Perez and Verstappe
Title: Red Bull’s Christian Horner Questions Sergio Perez’s Qualifying Struggles Compared to Verstappen
Date: [Insert Date]
Author: [Your Name]
Word Count: 340
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has expressed his bewilderment over Sergio Perez’s ongoing struggles in qualifying sessions, particularly in comparison to his teammate, Max Verstappen. Despite Red Bull securing the constructors’ championship, Perez has failed to reach Q3 in eight out of 17 qualifying sessions this season.
In the recent race, Perez seemed on his way to secure a spot in the final 10 during qualifying. However, after exceeding track limits, his last lap time was deleted, leaving him out of contention. Horner has admitted his disappointment for Perez, highlighting the challenging nature of qualifying and the mounting pressure of competing against Verstappen.
As the Mexican driver prepares to start from 13th place on the grid, Verstappen, on the other hand, has clinched the coveted pole position. Horner acknowledges that Perez’s struggles in qualifying have been evident throughout the season, considering it his weakness as compared to his excellent race performances.
Despite Perez’s difficulties in qualifying, Red Bull remains committed to supporting the experienced driver. The team aims to work closely with Perez, offering assistance to help him maintain his position in the drivers’ championship.
During post-qualifying interviews, Perez admitted that he has been grappling with car balance issues during qualifying sessions, primarily due to limited practice time. This factor has put him at a disadvantage as he strives to find the ideal setup for his Red Bull machine.
Looking ahead, all eyes are now on the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, where Verstappen appears poised to secure the drivers’ championship. However, Perez faces the daunting task of fending off Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton to secure second place in the overall standings.
As the season reaches its climax, Perez will be hoping to turn his qualifying fortunes around and make a significant impact in the remaining races. With Red Bull’s continued support and his innate talent, the Mexican driver remains determined to make a crucial contribution to the team’s campaign in the drivers’ championship.
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