Perez saw strong performance from Ferrari: 'Definitely need to improve'

Friday at Zandvoort did not go as Red Bull Racing had hoped. Max Verstappen was hardly able to perform during FP1 due to a gearbox problem, after which FP2 also ended in disappointment. Sergio Perez on the other hand sees Ferrari and Mercedes perform strongly.

For now, the advantage seems to be in the hands of Ferrari and Mercedes, painting a completely opposite picture from a week earlier. Perez will be hoping that Red Bull Racing can find something on the night from Friday to Saturday, otherwise strategy will be crucial at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Red Bull has work to do

Either way, Red Bull has work to do. "It will be interesting to see what we will be able to do with the strategy, but we certainly need to improve for qualifying tomorrow," Perez told various media including GPblog.

The feeling so far is therefore very different to that at the Belgium GP, where Red Bull was the dominant factor. "I think generally we haven't been as happy as we were in Belgium, so there are some things we need to look at and try to be in the mix for qualifying," continued Perez, who saw a strong performance from the rival teams. "They really look strong, so it will be interesting to see what we are able to do.

This article was written in collaboration with GPblog editor Gandor Bronkhorst who is present in the Zandvoort paddock.