Helmut Marko has hinted that the 2022 Red Bull car could be more difficult for Sergio Perez to adapt to than Max Verstappen, if it faces similar issues to the team's previous models. The upcoming season will see a raft of new regulations being introduced into the sport and, as such, many F1 teams took the decision to focus on developing their car for 2022 earlier in 2021, rather than continuing to work on their challenger for last year. For Red Bull and Mercedes, this wasn't entirely the case, with the drivers on both sides channelling their efforts into winning the title. Marko does not believe that this will have a negative effect on their chances in 2022, though, given that work was continuing back at the factory on the new car. "The drivers have done some simulator work in the meantime, but of course the engineers are the ones doing the development," Marko told Austrian broadcaster ServusTV . As for what to expect from Red Bull's 2022 challenger, Marko thinks that it will be no problem to Verstappen if it proves to be unstable at the rear, as has been the case in the past. He admits, though, that this potentially could be more of a problem for his teammate, as it has been in the past for the likes of Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon and Perez. "Max can drive a car that is quite unstable at the rear," Marko said. "The car has to be as fast as possible; it doesn't have to feel comfortable or pleasant. It's only our second drivers who often have the biggest problems with that."
Verstappen's thoughts on 2022
Verstappen is looking forward to experiencing the new era of F1, but thinks it is still difficult to predict what it will be like until he has tested the car. "It's hard to say because I haven't driven the new car yet, except in the simulator," Verstappen explained. "In January and February I will do that again, but by then the car will be very different." Whilst the new rules may result in less speed, Verstappen hopes that the aim of increasing overtaking will be achieved, and that there will be closer racing as a result. "The cars are a bit slower, but I hope the races will be better, that we can overtake more and that the teams are closer together," the 2021 World Champion added. "Then it doesn't matter that you are a bit slower."
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