What is the crucial criteria for Sergio Perez? 'It's as simple as that'

Helmut Marko is pleased with how Sergio Perez's Friday panned out in Hungary. According to the Red Bull Racing advisor, there's more to come from the Mexican. The 81-year-old Austrian further clarified that not only Max Verstappen drove with updates at the Hungaroring, Sergio Perez did, too.

Red Bull confirmed on Friday that Max Verstappen drove with all the upgrades and his teammate from Mexico didn't. The difference between the two teammates was two-tenths, a lot smaller than we have seen in recent weeks. Verstappen also had access to new parts, as Marko explains.

Speaking to GPblog and others, the Red Bull advisor gives important context. "Both are in the upgrade, there's just one part missing on Sergio's car, which is marginal. And this part you could see (the difference) from the outside."

With a fourth-place finish in the second free practice, Perez seems to be in better shape in Budapest on Friday than in recent weeks. Verstappen's teammate is under intense pressure and needs to perform well in Hungary and Belgium if he wants to return to the RB20 even after the summer break. Perez, however, denied Red Bull's ultimatum rumours earlier this weekend.

What are the criteria according to Marko? "Performance. It's easy like that. Today, everything is fine." Marko saw Perez go on holiday for a while after Silverstone. Hopefully, for Red Bull, this break can help the Mexican. "At least he's back, so fine. I don't want to know where he was."