Disaster struck for Sergio Perez at the Canadian Grand Prix, leaving him with a double dose of misfortune. A collision on lap 53, caused by hitting a wet patch with slick tyres, sent him crashing into the barriers and out of the race. But the misery didn't end there. The significant damage to his Red Bull's rear wing warranted a three-place grid penalty for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix. Adding to the drama, Perez's decision to limp the heavily damaged car back to the pits rather than retire on track triggered an investigation by FIA race officials. Their concern was clear: the potential safety hazard of a car with substantial damage continuing on the circuit. While teammate Max Verstappen took the checkered flag in Canada, Red Bull wasn't celebrating unscathed. The team's post-race admission of instructing Perez to return to the pits to avoid a safety car resulted in a €25,000 fine. This penalty served as a stark reminder of the consequences that can follow strategic decisions that prioritize keeping a car in the race over safety considerations. Overall, the Canadian Grand Prix turned into a weekend to forget for Perez, marked by a costly crash and a grid penalty that will cast a shadow over his Spanish Grand Prix hopes.
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The stewards' full decision read: 'After making contact with the barriers in Turn 6, the driver [Perez] continued on track for the remainder of the lap with a significantly damaged car and thereby lost several carbon fibre parts on the way back to the pits.
'The team confirmed in the hearing that the driver had been advised to bring the car back to the pits as they were trying to avoid a Safety Car situation. The Stewards determine that, as well as a financial penalty for the team, a sporting penalty is necessary due to the safety implications of the incident.'
F1: Yuki to Stay with Red Bull Family for 2025
Red Bull's sister team acted swiftly to secure Yuki Tsunoda for the 2025 season. This fills a driver slot for their next year's lineup and prevents rival teams like Haas, Alpine, and Aston Martin from poaching the young Japanese driver.
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This move comes as a surprise considering earlier speculation that Tsunoda might land a seat with a more competitive team for 2025 based on his strong performances in 2024. However, by signing this extension, Red Bull ensures Tsunoda won't be a free agent until the 2026 season at the earliest, giving them time to evaluate his development and their own driver needs.
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