FLOYD ON F1: Perez’s poor form not part of Red Bull script

Red Bull has wrapped up the 2023 F1 championship. The week before it was the Constructors’ title and last weekend, it was the Drivers’ with Max Verstappen settling for second in the sprint and an unassailable points lead over second-placed Sergio Perez.

The track limits saga was a major topic of the weekend, with 17 of the drivers receiving warnings, four incurring five-second penalties on more than one occasion.

it is amazing when you consider there were only 19 starters. The Ferrari of Carlos Sainz was ruled out after a “fuel system error”. And the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton exiting on turn one following his collision with his team-mate, George Russell, leaving Verstappen as the only driver to finish with a clean sweep.

ALSO READ: Verstappen takes Qatar GP win as conditions batter F1 drivers

No Stroll in the park for Lance

It was a race to forget for a few, particularly Lance Stroll, who for the fourth time this season failed to get beyond the third qualifier in his Aston Martin.

It was not his lack of position that created a rather ugly situation in the team pits as a furious Stroll threw his steering wheel across the garage, then pushed a team member out of his way.

The victim of the abuse was imploring the Canadian to be weighed by the FIA official, a mandatory requirement whenever you leave the car and pits. His very curt and somewhat unsavoury replies to interviewers convinced me, as I recently wrote, he is aiming for a career in professional tennis.

With that sort of attitude he must be modelling himself on John McEnroe, well remembered for his outbursts and temper tantrums.

ALSO READ: FLOYD ON F1: Verstappen’s Red Bull might be even better in 2024

Perez has reason for concern

Another concerned driver must surely be Perez after yet another disastrous race following his Japanese GP debacle. Despite holding a contract for 2024 with Red Bull, there must be a strong element of doubt after Qatar, having incurred three five-second penalties for exceeding track limits and managing to gain a only single point for finishing 10th.

The high temperatures and humidity created problems, particularly Pirelli, which noted issues due to the track surface and kerbs following qualifying.

The official FIA report on the tyres stated: “Following the standard analysis of tyres used during free practice one, in which tyres that have been used for approximately 20 laps are examined by Pirelli to check various safety parameters, a separation in the side wall between the topping compound and the carcass cords on many of tyres that were checked was discovered.”

ALSO READ: FLOYD ON F1: Felipe Massa case could set precedent

Track limits at turns 12 and 13 were revised and pit stops enforced after no more than 19 laps. This meant a minimum of three tyre changes in the race.

F1 drivers call for change

The physical demands on the drivers were extreme and many are calling for a change of date for future rounds of the F1 Championship.

The F1 show now moves to the US for the for the United States Grand Prix from 20 to 22 October.