Sergio Perez from Red Bull Racing RB20 competed in the Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 7, Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, in Imola, Italy, on Practice Day on May 17, 2024. Perez has seen an improvement in his performance this season, avoiding a repetitive cycle of trying to outperform his teammate Max Verstappen. In the previous campaign, Perez started strong with two wins in the first four races, but then suffered a major setback, falling 290 points behind Verstappen. However, he has bounced back this season with three podiums in the first six races. Perez attributes subtle changes in his approach and RB20 setup to his more consistent results. By avoiding excessive adjustments before each race, Perez has been able to start in a stronger position. He has also made small adjustments to his accommodations that have made a significant difference. In the past, Perez admits that his desire to outshine Verstappen led him down the wrong path in terms of car setup, exacerbating his difficulties. This affected his mental state, but he believes that to succeed at Red Bull, a strong mindset is necessary. Despite not winning a race since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in April, Perez remains confident that his current form will eventually lead him to his seventh career victory in Formula 1. He emphasizes the importance of consistently delivering strong performances and maximizing points in each race. Perez is not overly concerned about his win drought and believes that as long as he continues to perform well, the wins will come. He acknowledges that his pace has been strong in certain events and aims to maintain that momentum throughout the season.
