Red Bull Racing - The African Mirror

Nov

2022

Unhappy Perez says Verstappen showed “who he really is”

ALAN BALDWIN RED Bull's Sergio Perez said teammate Max Verstappen showed "who he really is" after the double Formula One world champion refused to give back a place in Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The radio comment came after the Mexican let Verstappen overtake on the understanding that the position would be returned if the Dutch driver could not pass Alpine's Fernando Alonso for fifth place. Perez needs every point to beat Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to overall runner-up while Verstappen has already clinched the title. Red Bull has never finished one-two in the drivers' standings. Perez and Leclerc are now…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Verstappen delights home Dutch crowd

SPORT

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen absorbed the pressure from both Mercedes cars and won his first Grand Prix in front of the Dutch “Orange army ”. Verstappen took his seventh win of the season from pole, producing a magnificently controlled performance at the whirlwind Zandvoort circuit. A delightful display of fireworks and an orange haze greeted Verstappen as he crossed the line 20 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton and teammate Valterri Bottas, who finished second and third. The lead Red Bull driver now leads the Drivers' Championship standings with 224.5 points to Hamilton's 221.5 though - interestingly - Mercedes leads the constructors'…

Aug

2021

By The African Mirror

Ocon claws to maiden win

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO FRENCH driver Esteban Ocon survived a wet, frantic start to the Hungarian Grand Prix to shockingly win his first Formula One race. The Alpine Racing driver, who signed a contract extension with Alpine for the foreseeable future, held off former World Champion Sebastian Vettel to take the chequered flag for the first time. Lewis Hamilton led the GP after a great start from the front of the grid. Hamilton’s teammate Valterri Bottas was not as fortunate - swamped by cars left and right - the Finn lost grip towards the first corner - colliding with the rear of…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Sprint qualifying claims first victim

OTHER

FORMULA One’s newly revised sprint qualifying race provided late Saturday entertainment - to the benefit of pole-sitter Max Verstappen. The fiery Red Bull shot through a cannon off the start line to lead championship rival Lewis Hamilton into turn 1. The flying Dutchman retained position after a nervous first lap and will start the British Grand Pirx from the start of the grid. Verstappen’s teammate Perez, after being passed by Norris on lap one, spun out later in the race. Perez, a disappointed figure, earned the title of biggest loser from the inaugural event with the one of fastest cars…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Verstappen earns maiden grand slam in Austria

SPORT

MAX Verstappen sealed a dominant end to Formula One’s first triple-header of the 2021 season, extending his lead over championship Lewis Hamilton to 32-points. The Dutch driver took victory in the Austrian Grand Prix after leading every lap in the race, starting on pole, and taking the fastest lap. Reigning world champion Hamilton slumped to a fourth-place finish with car damage after taking too much kerb on turn 10. Verstappen led into the first corner and soon stretched out his lead to five seconds as a battle ensued behind his Red Bull. Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez, in his 200th race,…

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

Red Bull outpace Mercedes in Austria

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO A thrilling display in Austria went down for pole position, with Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen taking the top spot ahead of the main event on Sunday. Verstappen managed to clock his fastest time for Q3 in his first run at 1:03.84, following a successful practice where he led in practices one and two. “It’s been a very good weekend,” said pole-sitter Verstappen. “Again in qualifying the car was really good to drive. “It was not easy to deal with the traffic in the last few corners to get a clean run but I think that first lap…

Apr

2021

By The African Mirror

Electric Imola qualifying

SPORT

DEFENDING World champion Lewis Hamilton stormed through the final qualifying session claiming his 99th pole position of his illustrious career. Hamilton laid down a tough marker in the opening runs of the qualifying shootout with a provisional pole time of 1:14.411. Hamilton failed to improve on his final run, but the benchmark he set would be enough. Red Bull driver Sergio Perez put together a blistering final run in Q3 to qualify in second for his first-ever front row start. Perez qualified ahead of teammate Max Verstappen, who was out-qualified by a team mate for the first time since Malaysia…

Apr

2021

By The African Mirror

Perez on settling in at Red Bull Racing Honda

SPORT

SERGIO Pérez's inaugural drive for Red Bull Racing Honda at Formula 1's season-opening race in Bahrain was certainly a memorable one. After just a day-and-a-half of testing with his new team, when his RB16B ground to a halt on the warm-up lap a very short race debut seemed on the cards. Luckily, the Mexican's car came back to life, allowing him to start the race from the pit lane, from where he delivered a scintillating performance that saw him power through the field all the way to fifth place and earn the fan-voted Driver of the Day award. Ahead of…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Verstappen gets 1st pole of 2021

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO RED Bull’s Max Verstappen has claimed the season’s first pole, after a stunning driving display which also served as warning to defending champions in the Mercedes camp. Verstappen qualified in first place in Bahrain, ahead of 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and teammate Valteri Bottas. Verstappen was pleased with his performance but looks forward to lights out. “We had a great testing week but there are no guarantees it translates to race weekends. The car has been working really well and of course I'm happy with the pole. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. We need to get a…

Feb

2021

By The African Mirror

It’s all systems go for Perez and Red Bull

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO MAN met the machine. The machine was both powerful and colourful. The acquaintances took a few laps and the man pronounced himself ready for probably the biggest challenge of his Formula One career. After his dramatic move to Red Bull, a stunt that shocked F1 fans and saved his career, Sergio Perez finally got behind the wheel of the red, yellow and blue car. And while Perez will race for Red Bull in the newly-built 2021 car, he had to use the 2018 car, one that was driven by the man he replaced - Alex Albon - to…