In an effort to address recent performance challenges, Red Bull have decided to replace Sergio Perez’s chassis for the upcoming 2024 Brazilian GP at Interlagos.
This decision follows Perez’s underwhelming performance at his home race in Mexico City, where he struggled to find competitive pace.
Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan confirmed the chassis swap, stating, “We’ve changed him back into a different chassis, which we can do. He asked if we can, and we said fine. The boys have got a bit of work, but they didn’t mind.”
Monaghan clarified that the replacement is not a brand-new chassis but one previously used during the season, emphasising the team’s commitment to optimising Perez’s performance.
Despite the chassis change, Perez will continue to use an older-specification floor compared to his teammate, Max Verstappen. Perez expressed hope for an upgrade by the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
“We don’t have it at the moment. Hopefully for Vegas, as there will be a little bit more time,” Perez told the press.
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“He acknowledged that the current setup results in carrying additional weight, which is “not ideal,” but recognised the team’s efforts to provide the best possible equipment.
Assessing the Impact of Technical Differences
Monaghan downplayed the significance of the floor specification differences, noting, “Checo is on a different edge specification from Max. So, if you look at the edge wing itself, it’s subtly different. It’s a small difference.”
He suggested that the variations are minor and unlikely to cause a significant performance gap between the two drivers.
The decision to maintain different specifications is based on logistical considerations to ensure both cars are adequately serviced with available spares.
Perez’s recent struggles have been a point of concern for Red Bull, prompting the team to explore various avenues to restore his competitiveness.
The upcoming Brazilian GP will serve as a critical test for Perez and the effectiveness of the chassis change.
