Mika Hakkinen SLAMS Sergio Perez for not going ‘flat-out’ for Red Bull in 2024 title fight

Mika Hakkinen berated Sergio Perez's woeful performances during the 2024 season that made Red Bull lose out on major points.

Mika Hakkinen SLAMS Sergio Perez for not going ‘flat-out’ for Red Bull in 2024 title fight

Mika Hakkinen [L] and Sergio Perez [R] via IMAGO

Sergio Perez has continued to face extreme problems in following up on Max Verstappen‘s performances at Red Bull. The Mexican driver is currently P7 in the drivers’ standings while Verstappen holds the top spot. As a result, the Ex-F1 world champion, Mika Hakkinen has berated Perez for his woeful performances and for not trying to fight for the 2024 title.

Mika Hakkinen initially noted that it was challenging to criticize a driver as he rarely did that. However, the 55-year-old pointed out that a team required two flat-out drivers to be able to compare the data. Additionally, the performance was necessary to aerodynamically adjust the car and improve upon it. Sergio Perez‘s disappointing performance disabled Red Bull of crucial information and points in the championship.

I find it challenging to criticize a driver and I try to avoid criticizing. I just want to tell the fact that you need two flat-out drivers to be able to compare the data and the different adjustments that they do aerodynamically to the car.

Mika Hakkinen told Unibet
YouTube video

Subsequently, Hakkinen reckoned that the teams had very little time during the race weekends to fetch data and work on them. Hence, Red Bull needed both drivers to actively participate in the process. However, the Finnish didn’t hesitate to acknowledge that Perez was unable to deliver this for the team currently.

FS Video
During a race weekend the time is quite short. So just the one car is not able to move the team forward. You need two cars, you need two drivers. And, Sergio Perez has not been able to deliver this for the Red Bull team.
Mika Hakkinen added

Mika Hakkinen labeled 2024 season as a ‘turning point’ for Max Verstappen

The 2024 season was an extreme shift in pace for Max Verstappen as he no longer had the comfort of an extremely dominant chassis. Mika Hakkinen believed that this season was a turning point in Verstappen’s life. The 55-year-old recalled that everything looked normal during the season’s start. However, Hakkinen assumed that the journey of success for the Dutchman wouldn’t continue forever.

For Max Verstappen, this year has been a turning point. Everything looked good at the start of the year, but in my opinion it was obvious that this journey for success cannot continue.
Mika Hakkinen noted
Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner (via IMAGO)
Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner (via IMAGO)

Red Bull will have to continue to work on their form to provide Verstappen with better prospects. The Dutchman has attempted his best to score impressive results with the team despite the slump. Hence, the remaining races in the season must witness a massive overturn in Milton Keynes’ results or they could lose the championship with ease.

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