How Perez's "different perspective" is aiding Red Bull's development

Red Bull chief technical officer Adrian Newey has hailed the importance of Sergio Perez's "different perspective" after joining from Racing Point over the winter.

Perez became Red Bull's first driver signing from outside of its junior programme since Mark Webber joined the team in 2007.

Newey claimed this outside perspective has been "very useful" in the development of the RB16B.

"I think that is one of the fascinating bits of the sport is trying to factor in the human input into what is otherwise a data driver exercise," said Newey.

"So yes, their comments are very important and having Sergio join us this year with his experience from other teams is also very useful.

"It is not since we had Mark and DC that we have had drivers that have not come through the Red Bull driver programme, so having experience from other teams just gives a different perspective and input to what we had from the other guys."

Despite the number of sensors on the car, Newey maintained the drivers "have a big influence" over developments.

"The fact is that from the data we measure on the car from the hundreds of sensors we have on aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics etcetera, they kind of tell you what the car is doing but it is the driver who is much better at telling you why it is doing it," he explained.

"It is then a matter of trying to marry the driver's comments to the sensors."

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