The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola has become the focus of attention not only due to developments on the track but also due to the behind-the-scenes scandal involving the Red Bull Racing team. A shocking incident is stirring the F1 community: Red Bull appears to be impatient with Yuki Tsunoda after his serious crash in qualifying, and leaked chatter between the racing team and former driver Sergio “Checo” Pérez is causing fans to stir.
During the class split at Imola, Tsunoda suffered a horrific crash from the opening minute of the first quarter. His RB21 spun out of control at Villeneuve corner, flipping over and plowing into the barrier, causing a red flag and interrupting the race session. With a collision force of up to 27g, his strongest of the season, Tsunoda was fortunate to escape the car without serious damage, despite being shocked. However, he acknowledged his mistake, calling the accident “stupid” and “unnecessary,” and apologized to the mechanical team for leaving a significant amount of repair work to be done. This incident raises questions about Tsunoda’s ability to replace Perez and has Red Bull facing pressure to find a more stable driver to support Max Verstappen.
At the same time, a leaked internal conversation has heated things up. According to sources, Red Bull is said to have contacted Checo Pérez to discuss the possibility of returning to the racing team. The content of the conversation has not been fully disclosed, but some sources claim the team is reconsidering the decision to dismiss Pérez at the end of 2024. Tsunoda’s accident and Liam Lawson’s poor performance seemed to have made Red Bull realize the value of the experience Pérez offers. The Mexican riders play an important role in helping Verstappen win the championship in 2021 and contributing to the team’s success in many seasons.
The fan base on social media, especially on X, is excited. Some commented that Red Bull owed Perez apologies for not appreciating his ability, while others criticized the racing team for designing Verstappen’s priority car, making it difficult for other drivers to shine. Although Red Bull has not made an official statement, public pressure and Tsunoda’s unexpected results may force the team to reconsider its staff strategy. Will Perez really return, or is it just a fleeting storm at IMola? Everyone is still waiting for the answer.
