Red Bull warned Perez leaving team 'one-legged' in title fight

1996 Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill has suggested Red Bull is fighting “one-legged” amid Sergio Perez's run of poor form.

Perez commenced the 2024 campaign on a strong note with three runner-up finishes in the opening four rounds.

However, the Mexican driver struggled at Imola where he crossed the line in eighth place before finding himself eliminated at the end of Q1 in Monaco.

His race around the Monte Carlo streets lasted just one corner after he was involved in an incident with Kevin Magnussen on the opening lap.

Perez's struggles come at a time when Red Bull's rivals Ferrari and McLaren have made notable gains, with both teams taking to the top step of the podium this year.

“I definitely think it’s game on,” Hill told the F1 Nation podcast. “There are two teams that are showing pace and closing the gap on certain circuits to Red Bull.

“Don’t forget they [Ferrari and McLaren] have both got two drivers who can attack. I’m not sure you can say that of Checo.

“[They’re] a little bit one-legged at the moment, Red Bull, if they want to defend.

“It’s no good being three-tenths away from Verstappen anymore, because so many cars can jump in that gap. The gaps have become smaller and smaller.”

Hill sees McLaren fight in Cnada

Looking ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, Hill hinted that McLaren will once again pose a threat to Red Bull, who has won the last two races around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. 

“The question really is, what sort of track [suits the cars], now that Red Bull seemed to be locked in a little bit with their design concept on their car and other teams seemed to have moved and made progress.

“You could compare Imola to Canada - its change of direction, needing to use the kerbs, straight blasts, you need to be able to stop.

“That McLaren is very good under the brakes. I was looking at some overlays and both Lando and Oscar seemed to be able to take chunks out of people into corners. 

“That's what you need in Canada, you need to ride the kerbs and that was one thing Red Bull was complaining about.”