Giedo van der Garde is speechless at Christian Horner’s decision to “protect” Sergio Perez, as “he’s not like Red Bull”.
Although the team has earned a reputation in the past for being brutal with its drivers when performing, both at Red Bull and in the juniors, the team on Monday asked to stay with Pérez after the summer break.
The Mexican driver survived a meeting this Monday where his position within the team was one of the big topics on the agenda, having added only 46 points in the nine races since his last podium in China.
The only driver among the top four teams without a win on the board, Perez’s form is hurting Red Bull in the constructors’ championship, where they are just 42 points ahead of second-placed McLaren.
Despite this, Horner told Red Bull in Milton Keynes on Monday that Perez “remains” a Red Bull driver.
Van der Garde is baffled by the “no Red Bull” decision.
“It’s amazing,” he told the DRS podcast.
“I think it is a selection that is not Red Bull’s. Red Bull never offers such a long chance if it doesn’t perform.
“After the first 4 races, he put in an impressive performance. It doesn’t get any better. If you are allowed to start at the right time in Spa and finish seventh. . . The speed in the race is simply bad.
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The former F1 driver believes Perez’s execution comes courtesy of team boss Horner, who has “more say” in what happens than Helmut Marko.
“Marko has something to say, Horner has something to say. Horner protects Perez. He probably has more of a voice,” he explained.
“It is also a logical choice for Horner to stay with Pérez, there is money and a political issue. Only it can also go wrong. “
Even in the face of Monday’s decision, the Dutch coach suggested Red Bull turn around and put more in the car alongside Verstappen.
During a debate between reserve driver Liam Lawson and VCARB’s Daniel Ricciardo, van der Garde believes the Honey Badger is the “most logical choice”.
“I would have put someone else, you are fighting for the constructors’ championship,” he added.
“You can put a young dog like Lawson, or put alongside Max, who knows the team well, is a smart driver and doesn’t make mistakes. “
Even Ricciardo, with his smiling attitude, would do more for the team, van der Garde claimed, as he has “a date with Max”.
“You can see that Perez is going through a mental moment. It has a lot of pressure on him. Make one mistake after another.
“If, like Pérez, he complains and comes with a big smile and gives power to the team, then he can take that team forward.
“A few races ago, we denigrated Ricciardo. Si you had to upgrade Perez, the most logical choice would be to bring in Ricciardo. Just because of the experience and power he brings, as he would be a great driver of moments alongside Max. .
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