Alesi: Red Bull lucked into right Imola set-up

Sam Cooper
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez celebrate together. Formula 1 Imola, April 2022.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez celebrate after securing a one-two finish at the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Imola, April 2022.

Jean Alesi has said Red Bull had “a bit of luck” when it came to the decisions they made in setting up the car for last weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Despite producing a near-perfect weekend that saw Max Verstappen win both the sprint race and Sunday’s Grand Prix, as well taking pole and the fastest lap, Red Bull have been described as lucky when it came to setting up the car.

The conditions proved to be a challenge for all teams with Friday’s practice session almost delayed due to rain and threats of further downpours throughout the weekend.

Red Bull, however, got their car set-up spot on and proceeded to produce one of the most dominant weekend performances in recent years.

Former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi, however, believes there was more than a bit of fortune when it came to Red Bull’s decision making.

 

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“At Imola, with the sprint race and the difficult weather conditions, it was impossible to understand how best to set up the cars,” Alesi told Corriere della Sera as reported by GPFans.

“Red Bull, with a bit of luck, immediately went in the right direction. With three practice sessions and normal conditions I don’t know if It ended like last Sunday.”

As well as Verstappen’s successful weekend it was a good one for Sergio Perez too who came third in the sprint race before a second-place finish in Sunday’s race.

The Mexican had looked under pressure for P2 until a mistake from championship leader Charles Leclerc saw him spin out and ultimately sink to sixth place.

Leclerc has been criticised for his overeagerness in wanting to secure P2, especially considering his healthy points lead at the top of the championship, but Alesi said it was understandable the Monégasque went for it.

“Leclerc desperately tried to pass Sergio Perez and had to minimise the disadvantage by exiting that chicane with too much speed,” the 57-year-old said.

“He made a mistake, but Leclerc is fighting for the World Championship. It showed in the fact that he did everything to secure second place.”