Christian Horner explains the controversial undercut of Sergio Perez by Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen grabbed his ninth straight victory at Zandvoort.

Christian Horner explains the controversial undercut of Sergio Perez by Max Verstappen

Max verstappen, Sergio Perez and Christian Horner (Via IMAGO)

As the gap between Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen keeps on increasing, several rumors have sprouted regarding Red Bull preferring Verstappen over Perez in their strategies, as Perez was again easily beaten by his teammate today. Red Bull chief Christian Horner explained the undercutting incident post-race today.  

Perez had moved into the lead early on in the race after the drivers had to pit due to sudden rain. But his lead was short-lived as Verstappen caught on with Perez and reclaimed the first place by lap 16. Horner explained that the team preferred Verstappen over Perez by pitting him for softs first because they had Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly behind Perez, both on slicks. Pitting Perez first involved the risk of the Red Bull duo coming out as first and fourth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UVit-Z74mE&pp=ygUQY2hyaXN0aWFuIGhvcm5lcg%3D%3D

… we had Alonso take the slicks as well and Gasly behind. The pace of the undercut was strong. If we had pitted the other way around, we had the risk of coming out 1st and 4th The risk was for Checo because Verstappen was catching seven seconds in three laps. His out-lap was so extreme it took us slightly by surprise that Max jumped Checo,” Horner is quoted by GPBlog.

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Sergio Perez says he trusts Red Bull’s decision of pitting Max Verstappen first in the undercut controversy

Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez (Credits: Formula1News.co.uk)

Sergio Perez was in the lead early on in the race, with Verstappen behind him on P2, with the entire grid on inters. As the track started drying up, everyone began switching to slicks. Usually, a team would first pit their leading driver, then the trailer., but Red Bull decided to go with Verstappen first, eventually causing Perez to lose his lead.

Post-race, Perez was asked about this decision by the media. While he was shocked during the race as he was heard asking the radio whether Verstappen undercut him, he said that the team is more aware of the situation and he trusts them. He said that the incident will be reviewed during a meeting where they will explain the reason behind the decision.

 “I think in those scenarios, the team just have more information than we do at the time. So it’s something we obviously will review during the meeting and I’m sure there is a reason behind it,” said Perez.

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