Sergio “Checo” Pérez, Red Bull Racing driver, faced a challenging weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix, where a spin ended his race early, marking his fourth retirement in the 2024 season.
A PROMISING START
Pérez started within the top ten and climbed to seventh place after a strong opening. During the second safety car, he pitted for a tire change, rejoining with potential to secure important points. However, changing conditions and an unexpected incident altered his outcome.
The Mexican driver explained that upon restarting, his hard tires failed to reach the optimal temperature, further complicated by an engine overload. This led to a spin in the middle of the track. “I lost momentum, I simply couldn’t control the car,” Pérez stated about the unfortunate moment.
INVESTIGATION WITH NO PENALTIES
After the incident, the stewards reviewed the case, initially labeling it as “dangerous driving.” However, the final verdict attributed the situation to a clutch failure, ruling out any deliberate actions by the driver.
The official report stated: “The driver’s attempt to recover the car was viable under normal conditions, but the mechanical failure caused the incident.” This decision spared the Mexican driver from further penalties.
A WEEKEND OF LEARNING
Despite the retirement, Red Bull Racing turned this setback into an opportunity for improvement. Adjustments made to Pérez’s car’s suspension before the Sprint race proved crucial in fine-tuning the performance of Max Verstappen’s car, who ultimately won the Grand Prix.
“We used the Sprint as a test session that allowed us to find a positive direction with the car,” Pérez said. Now, the Mexican driver and his team aim to consolidate these learnings as they approach the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
CHECO LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
Looking ahead to the last race of the year, Pérez remains optimistic about the improvements made to the RB20. “I hope we can confirm everything we’ve learned and finish the season on a high note,” he concluded.
While the Qatar GP left a bitter taste, the Mexican driver continues to work on strengthening his position in the championship and contributing to the team’s development, proving that every challenge is an opportunity to grow.
The next chapter for Checo Pérez will take place at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where he will strive to close the 2024 season strong and reaffirm his place among Formula 1’s elite.
