Sebastian Vettel and Sergio Perez need five races 'to get comfortable' with Aston Martin and Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel and Sergio Perez — Photo: © LAT Images

Aston Martin - Red Bull

Vettel and Perez need five races 'to get comfortable' with Aston Martin and Red Bull

The experienced duo left Ferrari and Racing Point respectively

Ian Parkes

Monday 22 March 2021 05:00

Sebastian Vettel and Sergio Perez have both agreed they will need five Formula 1 grands prix before finally feeling at ease with new teams Aston Martin and Red Bull.

The duo moved to different teams over the winter, with Vettel replacing Perez after the Mexican had been released by Racing Point - now Aston Martin - but with Red Bull handing him a one-year deal.

Both drivers completed low mileage in the recent pre-season test, with Perez clocking up 166 laps to finish 14th of the full-time drivers, while Vettel propped up the list after managing just 117 laps due to reliability issues with the AMR21.

Article continues under video

Despite their collective experience, both drivers know the transitional period with their respective teams will likely not be complete until after the Monaco Grand Prix in late May.

Asked as to how long it would take him to feel comfortable inside Red Bull, Perez said: "It's hard to put a number. I think after five races.

"Once we've gone through very different races and conditions, you understand the car and the team a lot better. Five proper races should be good."

Questioned whether Perez's suggestion was correct, Vettel replied: "I'm in a similar position compared to him.

"It's a different environment, different people, a different philosophy of running the car, it's a different power unit, so there are lot of things. I quite enjoy it, it's helping me to develop."

While Perez ran comfortably in the RB16B across the three days of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, he has conceded he is not 100 per cent ready for the first race.

"Ideally, I would like more running, especially when I finished my half-day, to think that was it, that I have to jump into a race when we are back," added Perez.

"It's crazy to think that, but it's how it is. Changing teams is not ideal, so I think in that regard, the people that are changing teams are going to be at a disadvantage compared to the people that have experience with their teams.

"But it's part of the game. We just have to make the most out of it. Certainly, it's very little time."