Perez expects exciting race: 'We think Ferrari is very strong here'

Sergio Perez thinks Red Bull is going to face some challenges this weekend. At the press conference ahead of the race weekend in Saudi Arabia, the Mexican discusses Red Bull Racing's chances at the second race of the year.

Possible pole repeat?

At the 2022 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, Perez still managed to capture pole position, with both Ferrari cars and Max Verstappen in places two to four. Matching that result would, obviously, be a superb result for Perez so early in the season. Yet Perez does not want to say that it is already a given.

"That indeed gives me confidence," said Perez, looking back at his result from a year earlier. "But this year we have different tyres, a different car. That's the beauty of the sport, there is a new challenge every year. Hopefully, we can qualify well."

'We think Ferrari is very strong here'

The start of the season was very good for Red Bull. Verstappen and Perez finished the first race effortlessly in places one and two. Whether there will be a repeat result in Saudi Arabia is certainly not guaranteed yet, according to Perez.

"It is a different circuit [than Bahrain]," Perez explained. "The tyre wear is not as bad here. We think Ferrari is very strong here. Aston Martin and Mercedes are going to be closer to us. Our strong point is the slow corners."