Horner Confounded by Perez's Struggles in Qatar

Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, expressed confusion regarding Sergio Perez's sluggish start during the Qatar Sprint, where he finished in P20. Despite modifications made to his car, Perez struggled with balance issues, allowing Williams' Franco Colapinto to overtake him. Perez explained that his slow reaction was a strategic decision aimed at finding clean air to enhance tire temperature management, although this tactic did not play out as intended. He acknowledged that his car's handling needed improvement, indicating some disconnect in its balance.

Teammate Max Verstappen also faced challenges, describing his car as "undriveable" and encountering a significant balance disconnect that hindered his performance, ultimately finishing in P8. Horner noted that the team opted to utilize the race as an opportunity to gather data for future enhancements, rather than focusing solely on scoring points. The situation around Perez's performance has raised eyebrows among fans and commentators alike, as they evaluate his standing for the current season.