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Sergio Perez’s performance took a sudden and concerning dip starting in early 2023, leading to his eventual departure from Red Bull Racing after failing to regain momentum in 2024. While many fans pointed fingers at factors beyond Perez’s driving skills, a significant focus was placed on his race engineer, Hugh Bird. With Richard Wood now stepping into Bird’s role, questions arise: Were Perez’s fans correct in their assessment? Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has shed light on the reasoning behind this change.
Richard Wood Replaces Hugh Bird as Race Engineer
The reshuffle in Red Bull’s garage doesn’t stop at Liam Lawson’s promotion. Richard Wood has taken over as race engineer, replacing Hugh Bird. During a press session ahead of the F1 75 Live event, Horner explained the rationale behind this decision, emphasizing that it was not a reflection of Bird’s performance but rather a strategic move within the team.
Was Hugh Bird’s Replacement Performance-Related?
Bird’s absence during three race weekends in 2024 due to paternity leave played a key role in the decision. Horner clarified that the change was a natural progression rather than a reaction to any shortcomings.
“It was a natural change. Hugh has recently added to his family. His skillset can really be well utilized within the factory. So it was a win-win situation,” Horner told select media, including GPblog.
He further elaborated, “He gets a few more nice [moments] at home, but at the same time, he plays a key role in our vehicle dynamics department, bringing all that trackside knowledge and experience into that department. He's an incredibly bright engineer, and he'll be an asset to that.”
Horner also highlighted the opportunity for Richard Wood to step up. “At the same time, it's part of the team's natural evolution where it gives Woody the chance to step up into that role of engineering Liam. So it was just a natural juncture for that to happen,” he concluded.
A New Chapter for Red Bull Racing
The shift in roles reflects Red Bull’s commitment to optimizing its team dynamics. While Perez’s struggles may have sparked debates among fans, the team’s decision to reassign Bird and promote Wood appears to be a strategic move aimed at strengthening both the trackside and factory operations.
As Red Bull continues to evolve, the spotlight now turns to how these changes will impact the team’s performance moving forward, particularly with Liam Lawson stepping into a more prominent role under Wood’s guidance.
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