Waché on Perez: 'That's what you get when you're not comfortable in the car'

Sergio Perez started so strongly in 2023, but has completely lost touch with championship leader Max Verstappen over the past four races. Red Bull Racing technical director Pierre Waché saw what was lacking in Canada.

It is perhaps the story that always holds true for Perez, why he cannot keep up with two-time F1 champion Verstappen. At the GP of Canada, the Mexican lost heavily to his teammate during rainy qualifying. In the race, he did not do much special to come back far through the field.

Waché said afterwards, "He [Perez] is on this course every weekend. You are chasing between driver control and overall performance of the car. With the number of sessions we had, with the difficult conditions, it was difficult for him at this time."

That it was a difficult weekend manifested itself especially in qualifying, where the Mexican just had the wrong timing every time. The rain made it crucial to time correctly; getting onto the track at the right time and choosing the right tyres at the right time. Verstappen did this excellently and took pole position.

Waché: "I think during the race he showed that he was able to achieve something interesting. But when you are not comfortable with the car it is more difficult, because he didn't find something comfortable with during FP3. That's something we have to work on."