Sergio Perez gave Red Bull’s 2021 car, the RB16B, its first shakedown at Silverstone earlier this week, in his first opportunity to drive a Red Bull F1 car on a circuit instead of the simulator.
As indicated by its name, the RB16B is a carry-over of Red Bull’s 2020 car, with its chassis remaining largely the same.
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Speaking after driving Red Bull’s 2021 challenger, Perez commented on the balance of the car and said it requires a “peculiar” driving style to extract all of its performance.
“One of the things that caught my attention in the simulator and then the car is the level of grip at the front end – it’s very high,” Perez said.
“I can immediately understand why not all drivers can optimise this car. It is not easy to extract the best from it, but if you do find that window, which is difficult to find, you can be quite fast.”
Continuing, he said: “It’s a car that requires quite a peculiar driving style. Very specific. But it is a super car.”
The Mexican also revealed that he spoke with Alex Albon, who he replaced at Red Bull at the end of 2020, about the handling of the RB16.
“He drove the previous car and as a driver I quickly understood what he was talking about when I got into the car.
“It’s one of the biggest strengths Red Bull has, but it’s also one of the parts that makes it difficult,” Perez said, adding that the expects to be comfortable with the RB16B within “about five races” of the 2021 season.
The former Racing Point driver, who lost his seat at the Silverstone-based team to Sebastian Vettel, only has a one-year contract with Red Bull, but he is keen to earn an extension.
“Without a doubt, I come to Red Bull with the thought that it will not be a single season. I want to stay for many years and win championships,” he said.
“When things don’t go well, the pressure hits you hard. But when you are experienced, when you have been through it before, it just makes you focus on the right stuff.
“I just think the opportunity comes in a great point of my career and it’s going to work out well,” Perez concluded.
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