Credit should be given to Red Bull team and their drivers for challenging Mercedes for 2021 Formula One title. Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton has been so dominant in the turbo hybrid era.
Since 2014 F1 season, Mercedes has won all the constructors and driver’s title. No team have challenged them, but Red Bull and Max Verstappen turned up the screw in 2021. The Dutchman was holding lead in Drivers title until Last weekend’s Saudi Arabian GP, but Lewis Hamilton tied it with commanding win.
Both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez had chances to increase the lead for Red Bull in Jeddah before Max crashing in his final qualifying run and Perez’s DNF in race dealt a big blow to Red Bull’s title hopes.
Ahead of final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, both Red Bull drivers discuss about their season so far and what to expect in Abu Dhabi from Bulls in an interview to official Red Bull website.
Max Verstappen won Last year’s Abu Dhabi GP, when asked about repeating the same this year heading into the race this weekend? Max said,
“First of all I’m excited to be back in Abu Dhabi! Last year is not always a good reference in terms of result as there were multiple factors that contributed to it. We’ve been lacking a bit of pace for the past few races but hopefully that won’t be the case this weekend.”
The Dutchman also talks about the changes made to the Yas Marina track this season and impact of changes on Red Bull’s performance.
“The Yas Marina Circuit has had a few changes and the track is much faster now. It’s going to be interesting to see how it will affect the setup of the car. It’s very important to have a good qualifying in Abu Dhabi so hopefully we can make that happen.”
Verstappen reflects on the 2021 season so far and his epic title battle with rival Lewis Hamilton
“We’ve had a lot of wins and good moments this year, and we’ve been a lot more competitive in general, compared to the years before. So as a Team, we can be very pleased and proud of what we have achieved this season. We are level on points and I know that we as a Team are going to give it all to win this Championship. This is going to be an exciting race and we want to finish the season in the best way possible.”
Max’s team mate Sergio Perez thinks RB16B had better pace during Saudi Arabian Qualifying and race before his DNF. But he and team failed to capitalize on it.
“We had good pace in Jeddah but unfortunately, we were not able to capitalize on it during the race and the weekend. We were really unlucky with the red flag there and the rest wasn’t an ideal day but we will keep pushing and we will not give up.”
And the Mexican interested to see how all the teams and cars will perform on the modified Yas Marina circuit this weekend.
“Yes, the track layout has changed quite a bit since last season, it has become a lot faster than before so it will be interesting to see how every single car copes with it. I am looking forward to getting out there on Friday to drive it for myself.“
Both Championships will be decided at the final race of the season this weekend, Perez feels it has been a great season for the fans & the team and he vows to fight until the last lap.
“It has been a great season, for the fans and for the Team. We have pushed ourselves to the maximum, we have given it our all and we will continue to do so until the last lap.”
You’re coming to the end of your first season with Red Bull Racing Honda, how do you sum it up?
“It has been a hectic first year with Red Bull Racing Honda! I finally feel at home with the Team and I am looking forward to achieving more together next season. We have everything in place to start on the right foot in 2022 and I hope it will be a successful year for the Team.”
