Just in:Perez overtaken by F1 rookie after embarrassing ERROR at Qatar Grand Prix……read more
Perez overtaken by F1 rookie after embarrassing ERROR at Qatar Grand Prix……read more
Sergio Perez’s difficult season continued at the Qatar Grand Prix, where the Red Bull driver suffered a major setback during the sprint race, making an embarrassing error that saw him overtaken by Formula 1 rookie Franco Colapinto. Perez has been struggling with poor form recently, with multiple early exits in qualifying and only eight points earned in the last four Grands Prix, leading to growing concerns about his future with the team.
At the Qatar GP, Perez failed to improve on his performance in sprint qualifying. Once again, he was eliminated in the first stage, SQ1, starting the sprint race in 16th place on the grid. The situation worsened when the FIA confirmed that Perez would have to start from the pit lane due to suspension changes made to his RB20 car. This meant that Perez would be at an even greater disadvantage, starting the race behind the other drivers.
To add to the drama, Williams’ rookie Franco Colapinto also had to start from the pit lane due to a suspension change on his car. However, while both drivers were in similar situations, Perez’s race got off to a disastrous start. As the green light signaled the beginning of the sprint race, Perez was slow to get going. He remained stationary for a few seconds before slowly moving out of the pit lane. This delay allowed Colapinto to sneak past him before they even reached the main race track, with the rookie overtaking Perez for 19th place. It was a major blunder for the experienced driver, and an embarrassing moment that only added to the pressure surrounding his performance.
Perez’s problems didn’t end there. The Red Bull driver struggled throughout the sprint, finishing in 20th place, dead last among the remaining runners. Red Bull also pitted Perez during the race to change his front wing, further hindering any potential for him to gain positions. His lackluster performance at the Qatar GP has raised further doubts about his future with Red Bull, particularly as the team evaluates potential replacements for him.
Colapinto, who passed Perez with ease, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for the Mexican driver at Red Bull in the future. The 20-year-old Argentine will become a free agent next season as Williams plans to bring in Carlos Sainz in 2025. Colapinto’s performance in Qatar, where he overtook Perez in such a dominant manner, added fuel to the rumors that he could be a candidate for a top team seat in the coming years.
While Perez struggled, his teammate Max Verstappen managed to finish the sprint in 8th place. However, the world champion also had a difficult race and was outscored by Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg, who finished in 7th. Despite Verstappen’s challenges, his result was still considerably better than Perez’s, underscoring the stark difference in form between the two Red Bull drivers.
Perez’s difficulties at the Qatar GP serve as a reflection of the struggles he has faced throughout the season. His failure to recover from a poor qualifying performance, combined with the embarrassing mistake at the start of the sprint race, has only increased the pressure on him. With speculation growing about his future at Red Bull, the team may be considering other options, including younger drivers like Colapinto, who are ready to make their mark on the F1 grid. The remainder of the season will be crucial for Perez, who must prove he can perform at a high level and silence the growing doubts about his place in the team.
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