Ex-F1 team owner claims Red Bull adopted ‘questionable tactics’ against Sergio Perez to favor Max Verstappen Zandvoort

It has been a few days since the culmination of the 2023 Dutch GP, but it seems the dust is yet to settle around the event. At one point Sergio Perez was in proper command of the race, but Red Bull’s decision-making cost him a chance to have a real go at the win against his teammate, Max Verstappen. Former F1 driver Giancarlo Minardi has also raised suspicions regarding the same.

The Milton-Keynes-based team got the first tire change strategy spot on as Sergio Perez was one of the early drivers who dived into the pits to put a pair of intermediates under wet conditions. However, when it came to putting on the soft, Max Verstappen was the one who was called first into the pits.

Perez was asked to come in on the very next lap, but that allowed his teammate to undercut him at the circuit. A lot was said about Christian Horner and Co.’s decision-making back then, and Giancarlo Minardi, while talking about the same recently, said as reported by Soymotor, “After a three-week summer break, Red Bull and Verstappen confirmed that they are invincible in any track condition.”

“Once again, Max won his home race without making the slightest mistake, he was again ahead of his teammate team after Red Bull adopted some questionable tactics.” Mianrdi has made it clear that Red Bull might have sacrificed Sergio Perez’s Dutch GP outing in order to help Verstappen score the win in front of his home fans.

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Sergio Perez would look for a strong outing at the Italian GP

While Giancarlo Minardi has sympathized with Sergio Perez over his treatment at the Dutch GP, the latter would be looking to put Zandvoort behind him and give his full attention to the upcoming three-day event at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza F1 circuit. The Italian GP could be where Perez finally starts stepping up a gear.

The 34-year-old got off to a sensational start during the 2023 F1 season, scoring two wins in the first four races; however, since Miami, he has had a roller coaster of a ride with a few ups and many downs. Perez has not been able to score a win at the pinnacle of motor racing since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

However, considering that Monza is famously known as the Temple of Speed with very few breaking zones, it could prove to be the track where Sergio Perez can extract maximum performance out of the RB19. He missed out on a podium in Zandvoort and would desperately look to rectify it during Sunday’s race.

In case you missed it:

• Helmut Marko gives his verdict on Liam Lawson’s F1 debut at the CHAOTIC Dutch GP
• FIA demands ‘respect and fairness’ from the higher-ups of F1

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