Perez ‘ready to go’ after beneficial break, but the pressure is on

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As Formula 1 kicks back into gear after its summer break, Sergio Perez is eager to hit the ground running at this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, to turn around his season but also to ensure his future in F1 for 2025.

The Mexican driver, whose seat with Red Bull was under threat before the break following a dismal first half of the season, has been retained by his team and should see out the 2024 campaign’s remaining ten races.

Perez is determined to capitalize on the rest and rejuvenation provided by the break.

"I am looking forward to getting back in the car this weekend," Perez stated in Red Bull’s Dutch Grand Prix preview.

“The summer break was very important for everyone in the Team and the whole sport, with so many races now everyone needs the rest and reset time more than ever.”

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The hiatus allowed Perez to recharge and refocus, spending quality time with family back home in Mexico.

“I spent my time in Mexico with family and I feel refreshed and ready to go for the second half of the season,” he added. “I know all my team feel the same, I have been in Milton Keynes this week with them.

Indeed, the Red Bull driver has been working closely with his crews at Red Bull’s home base preparing for the upcoming races.

As announced earlier this week, Perez has been assigned a new race engineer for the upcoming four races, with performance engineer Richard Wood stepping into the role to replace Hugh Bird who will be stepping away from his duties to enjoy a paternity leave.

"Everyone will notice a change on the radio on our side of the garage in Zandvoort," commented Perez. "Woody, my performance engineer will step up in the meantime.”

Despite the change in personnel, Perez is confident in his ability to extract the maximum potential from Red Bull’s RB20.

This is crucial for the Mexican, not only to support Red Bull and his teammate Max Verstappen in their respective championship battles but also to strengthen his prospects for retaining his seat in 2025.

"I know what we can extract from the car in the coming weeks and we will do our best to maximise the second half of 2024,” he concluded.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.