Perez set for Race Engineer switch as he returns from summer break ‘refreshed and ready’

Red Bull have confirmed that there will be a change on Sergio Perez’s side of the garage for the foreseeable future, with long-time Race Engineer Hugh Bird going on paternity leave.

Bird has been Perez’s Race Engineer since the Mexican’s first season with Red Bull in 2021 but that responsibility will move to Performance Engineer Richard Wood from this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.

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In Red Bull’s official pre-event preview, Perez commented that “everyone will notice a change on the radio” when the action gets under way at Zandvoort.

“Hugh my Race Engineer is expecting a baby very soon so will be spending some time at home and I wish him and his family the best of luck with their new arrival!” Perez said. “Woody, my Performance Engineer, will step up in the meantime.”

Perez added that he is returning from the summer break feeling “refreshed and ready to go” after a challenging run of Grands Prix – featuring Q1 and Q2 exits and minor points finishes – led to plenty of speculation over his Red Bull future.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner recently described Perez’s form as “unsustainable”, with the squad looking to fend off the likes of McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes in the constructors’ championship.

However, fresh from Red Bull stating that they are standing by the six-time Grand Prix winner, a determined Perez commented: “I am looking forward to getting back in the car this weekend.

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“The summer break was very important for everyone in the team and the whole sport, with so many races now everyone needs the rest and reset time more than ever.

“I spent my time in Mexico with family and I feel refreshed and ready to go for the second half of the season. I know all my team feel the same, I have been in Milton Keynes this week with them.

“I know what we can extract from the car in the coming weeks and we will do our best to maximise the second half of 2024.”