Red Bull have confirmed that there will be a change on Sergio Perez’s side of the garage for the foreseeable future, with long-time Race Engineer Hugh Bird going on paternity leave.
Bird has been Perez’s Race Engineer since the Mexican’s first season with Red Bull in 2021 but that responsibility will move to Performance Engineer Richard Wood from this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.
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In Red Bull’s official pre-event preview, Perez commented that “everyone will notice a change on the radio” when the action gets under way at Zandvoort.
“Hugh my Race Engineer is expecting a baby very soon so will be spending some time at home and I wish him and his family the best of luck with their new arrival!” Perez said. “Woody, my Performance Engineer, will step up in the meantime.”
Perez added that he is returning from the summer break feeling “refreshed and ready to go” after a challenging run of Grands Prix – featuring Q1 and Q2 exits and minor points finishes – led to plenty of speculation over his Red Bull future.