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Perez does not impress immediately: "But I'm a bit more worried about Sainz"

13 March 2021 at 11:16
Last update 13 March 2021 at 11:59
  • GPblog.com

Jolyon Palmer believes that Sergio Perez will be fine at Red Bull Racing, despite completing fewer laps and not yet matching Max Verstappen's time on Friday. The former Formula One driver is more concerned about Carlos Sainz. Palmer sees that Sainz doesn't seem to feel completely at ease yet.

"With Perez it took a bit longer to get going, I think," Palmer told F1TV of the day's first session. For the Mexican, Saturday morning was the first few miles in a Red Bull car. "He had a few mistakes, but a good lap on the hard tyres. For now I'm a bit more worried about Sainz in the Ferrari."

Sainz lacks confidence

Palmer sees that the newcomer to the Italian racing stable still lacks some confidence. On the other hand, the balance of the SF21 is also not yet as it should be."It's basically both. Last year's Ferrari was already struggling with grip at the rear. We saw Leclerc and Vettel spinning a lot and having weird moments back then. Sainz seems to have a bit of that same thing, which is worrying anyway."

Aston Martin's dramatic morning also comes up for discussion. Sebastian Vettel saw his four hours go up in smoke due to a gearbox problem. Otmar Szafnauer 's team uses Mercedes' gearbox and there were also problems with that on Friday with Valtteri Bottas. "That's a worry maybe for Mercedes that gearbox," Palmer said.