Verstappen set to debut brand-new helmet in Spain while Perez want to forget Montreal disaster
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen will wear a special edition orange helmet for 2024's European races, in tribute to the Orange Army that follows him from country to country.
While Verstappen won two of the last three grands prix, he had a tough competition to overcome with McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes having closed in on Red Bull.
Rivals expect the Milton Keynes-based outfit to return to top form at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as past years saw the Red Bull excel on the Catalan track that features a mixture of slow-, medium- and high-speed corners.
Speaking of the forthcoming weekend, the three-time world champion said: "We are back to the European races for a while now and I have been with the Team at the factory this week preparing for the Spanish Grand Prix, being the first race of a busy triple header.
'Barcelona will be the first race where I will be debuting my new orange helmet. As a tribute to my fans and all of their support, they are actually featured on helmet and I think the final design looks really cool and detailed. I have great memories from the circuit, especially winning my first Formula One race there.
'It has a good mix of high and low-speed corners and we have historically driven well there so hopefully we can maximise the performance of the car this weekend. We are aiming to keep the momentum going from Canada, so we are looking forward to racing this weekend and hopefully have some good weather," concluded the Dutchman.
His team-mate Sergio Perez finds himself in a very tough period as he failed to make the cut into the last qualifying segment in the last three rounds in Imola, Monaco and Montreal.
The Mexican finished only eighth at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix while he retired in the following two grands prix. Although he has recently secured a new two-year contract with Red Bull, the Mexican is aware of the fact that he needs to revive his from from the start of the season which saw him score three second-placed finishes in the first four rounds.
"Coming into Spain I know I need a successful weekend, after a disaster in Canada. Sometimes you are forced to reset a little and we have done that since the last race.
"I have been in Milton Keynes working with the Team to try and identify where and what we can do better to ensure I am getting the most out of this car. I am confident in the car and the performance we can execute from it, but I need to show that on track better in Barcelona. I always enjoy the Spanish GP, it feels a lot like home and everyone makes me feel so welcome.
"It’s a circuit I know very well and the RB20 should be quick around this type of track, so it’s down to us to get things right and bring home the result we know we are capable of."
