Perez given new race engineer from Dutch GP

Sergio Perez will reportedly have a new race engineer for the next four races, starting this weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Hugh Bird has been Perez’s race engineer since 2021, but will go on paternity leave for the next four Grands Prix, according to Fox Sports Mexico. 

Richard Wood will replace Bird in the races at Zandvoort, Monza, Baku and Singapore. Wood is currently the Mexican’s performance engineer and was previously heard on the radio during the first free practice sessions this year in Emilia Romagna and Hungary.

Perez returns from the summer break needing a good result in Zandvoort, with Red Bull having put its faith in the 34-year-old. 

Ahead of the summer break, there was much speculation that the Mexican driver would not return for the final 10 races; however, Red Bull confirmed a day after the Belgian Grand Prix that he would keep his seat. 

Should Perez fail to perform this weekend, then McLaren will likely take further points out of Red Bull’s 42-point advantage in the constructors’ championship.