Sergio Perez came over the radio to exclaim “I’m gonna crash” during FP2 ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. The Mexican driver was struggling to feel comfortable in his RB19 throughout Friday’s practice sessions.
The Mexican driver endured a difficult start to the weekend, following up an underwhelming P7 finish in FP1 earlier in the afternoon with an identical finish in FP2, behind both Ferrari drivers and the Mercedes duo.
Checo claimed a stunning victory on these streets earlier last season, defending valiantly from Charles Leclerc with his team-mate way down the order. Unfortunately for the 33-year-old, he needs plenty of improvement on Saturday if he’s to set up a repeat in 2023.
With two-thirds of FP2 already behind him, Checo came onto the radio to say: “It’s just not coming, mate. Every braking zone I feel like I’m gonna crash. The rear is just stepping out massively.”
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive F1 news.
Don’t miss… Christian Horner wades into Red Bull row as Marko apologises for Perez comments[LATEST]
This was far from the first time one of the Red Bull drivers complained over the radio during Friday’s running. Verstappen was quick to point out his issues during FP1, stating: “Quite aggressive downshifts and I struggle in the [corners] mid to exit all the time. A lot of oversteer in every corner, basically.”
Even more concerning for Checo and his in-form team-mate will be the pace demonstrated by Ferrari throughout the opening two sessions of the weekend. The Scuderia closed out a one-two finish in both FP1 and FP2 with neither driver reporting any issues.
The pace of the Scuderia was predicted by Helmut Marko heading into the weekend. He told Autosport: “But I have to say Ferrari and especially Leclerc is a specialist around there.
More F1…
FIA deny Max Verstappen wishes adding to Red Bull worries at Singapore GP[NEWS]
Michael Schumacher’s brother ‘very different’ as treatment takes toll on family[SCHUMACHER]
Singapore Grand Prix weather forecast, TV channel, UK start time, schedule[SINGAPORE GP]
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
“If they are faster in qualifying, then it could become a problem for us because overtaking in Singapore is very difficult. But I’m still optimistic that the package we are bringing to Singapore is good enough to win.”
This pace will add more pressure onto Checo’s shoulders this weekend. The Guadalajara-born racer is celebrating his 250th Grand Prix start on Sunday, but unacceptable comments made by Marko have put him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
A second-place finish at the Italian Grand Prix two weeks ago hinted at something of a return to form for Perez, but with Verstappen on a ten-race winning streak with a 145-point lead in the Drivers’ Championship, the Mexican will want no further distractions in Singapore this weekend.
Source: Read Full Article