Sergio Perez has cautioned that the cooler temperatures expected for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix won’t be favourable for Red Bull.
Formula 1 is embarking upon its maiden visit to the Las Vegas Strip Circuit this weekend, with the evening sessions set to provide the coldest conditions of the entire season.
That has prompted concern regarding the warm-up of the tyres, particularly after complaints from several drivers in Brazil over the consistency of Pirelli’s dry compounds.
Although Red Bull has won all but one of the 20 rounds to be held to this point, Perez is wary that the unique conditions could open the door for a rival team to steal an edge.
“I think it’s something that is going to be very present there, and probably that will not be something that favours us as a team but it’s something that we’ve got to keep in mind,” he said.
“Those things are very hard to simulate, also knowing what sort of wind direction we’re going to have.
“Simulators these days, there is so much they can do and so much you can base on them, but I think it’s more the knowledge we’ll have on that sort of thing.”
Despite there being apprehension over the conditions, Perez is optimistic that the street circuit, which features a 1.900 km straight, will produce exciting racing on Sunday.
“I think it will be good for racing, it was very long straights with big braking zones so I do expect that it will be a good track for racing,” he added.
Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB19. 20.10.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 19, United States Grand Prix, Austin, Texas, USA, Qualifying Day
Perez will be aiming to end the season on a positive note by bagging a victory in one of the final two rounds, having not triumphed in a race since the Azerbaijan GP back in April.
The six-time race winner believes his recent results have disguised the progress he’s made following an extensive run in Red Bull’s simulator to counter his previous torrid run.
Asked how much more preparation he would be putting in ahead of Las Vegas, Perez answered: “I think a lot. With all the learnings we are taking weekend-by-weekend, I think it’s important that we keep that trend.”
Perez, who could mathematically secure second in the Drivers’ Championship this weekend, is also anticipating to be backed by lots of Mexican supporters in the Sin City.
The locals were left massively disappointed when the 33-year-old retired on the opening lap of his home event after making contact with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at Turn 1.
“After last weekend [Mexico] probably they’re not too keen! But there are still a lot out there and I do expect a lot of support in Vegas,” Perez added.
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