Pérez Lost Eight Tenths in the Corners That Don't Matter

At the fastest circuit on the calendar, the Red Bull lost half a second through the slowest section. That's not a setup choice.

Lando Norris took pole at Monza by three-quarters of a second over Sergio Pérez. Pérez was four thousandths quicker through the first chicane. Then he lost 0.463 seconds through the Lesmos and Ascari.

Key Finding

Norris was four thousandths slower in Sector 1, then gained nearly half a second through the Lesmos and Ascari.

The damage was done in one sector

NOR vs PER — sector-by-sector breakdown

Sector 2 is the middle bar — Norris gained nearly half a second through turns that should barely matter at Monza.

▲ NOR faster▼ PER faster

S1: -0.004s · S2: +0.463s · S3: +0.276s

Key Finding

Norris was four thousandths slower in Sector 1, then gained nearly half a second through the Lesmos and Ascari.

Monza is a power circuit. The cars run minimum downforce, top speed is king, and you hold it flat through Curva Grande praying the floor doesn't bottom out. Sector 2 is four corners where you slow down, turn, and get back on the throttle as quickly as physics allows.

Norris was faster through all of them. Not by a tenth. By 0.463 seconds.

The McLaren carried more speed where it shouldn't have mattered

NOR (Lap 11) vs PER (Lap 14) — fastest laps compared

Watch the yellow line climb faster after the two dips at 150–200 on the x-axis — those are the Lesmos. The McLaren had grip.

NOR (Lap 11)PER (Lap 14)

Fastest laps: NOR Lap 11, PER Lap 14.

Key Finding

Norris was four thousandths slower in Sector 1, then gained nearly half a second through the Lesmos and Ascari.

The Red Bull had no mechanical grip. Pérez was as quick as Norris through the slipstream lottery of the opening chicane, then fell apart the moment he had to lean on the tyres. The McLaren turned, found traction, and pulled away.

By the time they reached the Parabolica, Pérez had lost another quarter of a second. He finished P8. Norris won.

Key Finding

Norris was four thousandths slower in Sector 1, then gained nearly half a second through the Lesmos and Ascari.

Azerbaijan is next. Street circuit. Ninety-degree corners. No slipstream to hide behind.

Red Bull will need to find grip by Thursday.

Alistair Drum

@@alistair_drum

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