Red Bull boss Helmut Marco has admitted that a major decision regarding one of the team’s star drivers may have been a mistake.
The Milton Keynes-based team is currently at the top of Formula 1. builders classificationin front of ferrari and McLaren.
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His driving duo Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez They have accumulated 301 points after the first nine races of the season and appear to be on track to secure a third consecutive title.
The current world champion, Verstappen, has achieved victory in all but three of the 2024 races, but the Dutchman seems to be somewhat far from his best level.
After retiring from the Australian Grand PrixThe 26-year-old was defeated in Miami by Lando Norrisand endured a torrid weekend in Monaco, finishing sixth as local favorite Charles Leclerc took victory.
Verstappen got his season back on track in the Canadian Grand PrixHowever, he impressed in difficult conditions to claim his 60th F1 victory.
Problems accumulate for Pérez
His teammate Perez, on the other hand, crashed out of the Montreal final, the latest disaster in a season plagued by sub-par performances.
Despite his continued struggles, the Mexican was recently rewarded with a new contractdecision that since then sparked much debate about his value to the team.
In an interview with OE24, Red Bull boss Marko said the plan to announce the deal despite Perez’s difficulties was aimed at establishing the team, but it didn’t work out that way.
The 81-year-old, however, has backed the six-time race winner to show what he can do in the upcoming races before the summer break.
“We extended his contract because we wanted to bring peace of mind to our team, but unfortunately it didn’t work out at all,” said the Austrian.
“But now Checo has three races ahead of him on three real circuits, so he will be able to prove himself.”
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