Sergio Perez struggles to adapt as rapidly as Max Verstappen when Purple Bull’s automotive isn’t performing properly, in accordance with workforce principal Christian Horner.
Verstappen gained the Canadian Grand Prix after ranging from the entrance row, having matched George Russell’s pole place time in qualifying. Perez, nonetheless, dropped out in Q1 for the second consecutive race as Purple Bull fought a weak spot with curb using throughout the previous two venues, however Horner is assured he’ll rediscover his type on tracks that go well with the automotive higher.
“Checo simply must overlook Canada 2024 and switch up in Barcelona and bounce again,” Horner mentioned. “We all know that he’s very able to doing that and I’m certain he’ll come again combating exhausting in Barcelona. We had been fortunate that Ferrari didn’t rating any factors – they may have taken a whole lot of factors out of us within the constructors’ – so we want him up there scoring as he was within the first 4 races.
“I feel it was a mix of things. We had a problem in qualifying that contributed a bit of to it, and many for him and the workforce to have a look at to get him again into that window as we head again to Europe.
“I feel he clearly struggles with when the automotive isn’t behaving properly, he struggles extra to adapt. It maybe takes him longer, and never having the working on Friday [in Canada] you find yourself on the again foot. So I feel that’s one thing we’re collectively with him to say ‘OK let’s come again robust in Barcelona.’”
The Purple Bull points over the curbs is one thing Verstappen says has been current since 2022, however warns the workforce doesn’t have the efficiency benefit to masks it anymore. Horner believes it’s an issue that may be addressed transferring ahead, and predicts a step ahead in competitiveness if options are discovered.
“All of it has to work in tandem, so in fact you’re pushing the aerodynamic platform of the automotive however you need the automotive to journey curbs,” he mentioned. “What was encouraging was our Sector 3 [in Canada] was aggressive. Even with the stiffness of the automotive rattling over that final chicane, if you happen to look all through the working we had been aggressive there. Regardless of it being uncomfortable, we’ve managed to be fast sufficient. I feel there’s real efficiency there. If we will unlock that, then we’ll see it unencumber lap time.”
Horner hints there might be new elements coming for Purple Bull in Barcelona subsequent weekend, with the circuit a standard venue for upgrades and the race marking the beginning of a triple-header amid 5 rounds in six weeks.
“It’s all about iterations and naturally it’s important to look very fastidiously the place you convey your upgrades in by the 12 months,” he mentioned. “We’re near the highest of the curve, so that you get right into a legislation of diminishing returns, however there can be refined upgrades over the summer time months… It’s a ‘doable.’”