Perez feels good in the RB19: 'Pretty similar to the RB18'

After Max Verstappen accounted for the entire first day of the winter test, Sergio Perez was allowed to make his first official metres in the RB19 on Friday morning. During the morning session, the focus was on long runs, the Mexican told a Red Bull Racing press release.

"I was happy to be back behind the wheel of the RB19 this morning," Perez began. In his first session of the winter test, the focus was not on qualifying runs, so really fast times remain to be seen. "We mainly focused on the long run, to make sure the car was reliable and that was the main priority."

For now, Perez says he feels good in the new Red Bull car. "The car feels good, we have a good pace and hopefully we can get some good fine tuning in on Saturday," he continued. "There are little differences to the RB18, which are mainly dictated by the change to the tyres but generally speaking it is pretty similar."

"I am happy in the car and I think we are in a good place. Now I am looking forward to getting a full day in the car tomorrow. We will do some good simulations for the race and try to prepare as much as possible for qualifying too," Perez said.