Perez doing well: 'New regulations suit him'

Sergio Perez will start the race on pole position Sunday night at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. Although he caused a surprise to several analysts, Mika Hakkinen saw Perez's better performance coming.

The Mexican experienced a difficult first year at Red Bull Racing last season. Perez had the leaden task of competing against Max Verstappen who was up against Lewis Hamilton in 2021. It ensured that Perez mainly had a season in which he could get used to the Austrian racing stable.

New regulations do Perez good

In the new season, Perez is doing better for the time being. Where he was in fourth place in Bahrain when he unexpectedly retired, he set a rock-solid qualifying on Saturday night. Perez kept Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and Verstappen behind him, so he will start the race at the front. According to Hakkinen, his good form also has to do with the new regulations that will apply in 2022.

"For Sergio, the new regulations suit him," Hakkinen stated at Viaplay. "I understand he really likes heavier and bigger car. He had a problem with the back end of the car last year when it was not so stable. Now these new regs and new cars, he feels more comfortable."