Red Bull’s factory may be close to Silverstone – but it’s no surprise they also consider the Austrian Grand Prix their home race and both Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen are hoping to clinch a result here at the Red Bull Ring deliver.
Perez arrives in Austria after claiming an unlikely podium at Silverstone, where he was as low as last after pitting early with damage. On the Thursday before the Austrian Sprint and Grand Prix, he couldn’t contain his excitement.
“Yes, I am very happy. You know it’s a very important weekend for us, we have our boss [Dietrich Mateschitz] here so it would be really special to give him the win this weekend.”
READ MORE: Perez enjoys ‘epic’ final laps at Silverstone after recovering from last place P2
The Mexican driver also announced he was re-watching the British Grand Prix after a great battle against Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton last weekend.
“In the end it was also a great fight going past Lewis and going past Charles. Even I was excited. I don’t usually mind watching the races at home, I don’t really watch them. But this time I played it a few times, three, four rounds with Charles and Lewis and when Lewis fought Charles it was great entertainment and the fans really enjoyed it.”
Sergio Perez: British GP ‘was a great fight’
Team-mate Verstappen, who leads the Drivers’ Championship by 34 points from Perez, shrugged off his P7 result at Silverstone after damage catapulted him down the order.
“I mean, these things happen. You know I’ve had a lot of good things, a lot of bad things happen so you just deal with it and I mean you can’t change it anyway. I’m just looking forward to being here, we’ve had a lot of good results here in the past and I’m really looking forward to seeing all the fans here and just having a good weekend.”
TECH TUESDAY: Analyzing Red Bull’s radical updates for the British Grand Prix
Red Bull will try to put its improved RB18 through its paces in Austria
Indeed, with crowds expected at the Red Bull Ring this weekend, Verstappen is looking forward to welcoming a sea of oranges, all of whom will be cheering for the reigning champion to claim a third straight win at the circuit.
“Yeah, it’s really grown, you know, over the last few years and it’s always great to see so much orange on the track.
READ MORE: “I really believe we can win this year,” says Hamilton as he prepares for the upcoming ‘tough’ weekend in Austria
“You know, up until this year I never understood why we were fast here, because basically it never really fit our package because of the long straights,” added Verstappen.
“Of course there was a bit of altitude involved and I think the Honda engine is pretty good at altitude. But yeah, this year we’ll have to wait and see. We were quick on the straights but at high speed Ferrari and Mercedes were really competitive so we’ll have to see how quick we’ll be. But I’m just really excited for the whole weekend.”