In his third consecutive race, Perez was unable to make it to Q3, finishing 12th, though he later advanced to the 11th position due to a penalty handed to Carlos Sainz.
Like his competitors, the Mexican driver chose to initially run on intermediate tyres before switching to slicks. This decision backfired as the rain started again, with Valtteri Bottas in his path.
Contrarily to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who also missed out on Q3, Perez wasn’t upset about the decision to start on intermediates, stating that it was a team decision.
He told Autosport/F1 Flow.com, “We were just half a lap too late, and being stuck behind the Alfa Romeo didn’t help. As soon as our tyres warmed up, the rain started to pour again, leading us to pit. But by the time we switched to the inter, it was too late.”
He added, “That was the initial plan – to complete one lap and then change to slicks.”
Photo by: Francois Tremblay
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing
Perez emphasized that the strategy was a joint decision, “We made the call together, and it was incorrect. But it was literally a coin toss with the track conditions.”
“We were off by four or five-tenths, and then it was all dependent on the track. There was definitely more that could be done with the car, but we just didn’t make the most of our opportunity.”
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Perez confessed his disappointment with not making it to Q3 for the third consecutive race.
“I’m not feeling the best, things are not going well,” he admitted. “But we’ve made comebacks before and the race is another opportunity to hopefully score solid points.”
He further stated, “The qualifiers were nothing short of chaotic. If we were slightly ahead on timing, the outcome would’ve been different and the day would’ve been good.”
He concluded, “We just have to keep our focus and things will turn around. It’s going to be a tough task to make our way through the field, but we’ll give it our all.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sergio Perez’s tyre strategy
Why did Sergio Perez fail to reach Q3 for the third time in a row?
Perez attributed this to a poor tyre call. He and his team chose to start with intermediate tyres, intending to switch to slicks. However, the rain returned, compromising their strategy.
What was the consequence of Perez’s tyre strategy decision?
Perez’s strategy decision resulted in him finishing the session in the 12th place. However, he later advanced to the 11th position due to a penalty handed to Carlos Sainz.
Was Sergio Perez upset about the decision to start on intermediate tyres?
No, Perez wasn’t upset about the decision to start on intermediates. He agreed with the strategy, stating that it was a team decision.
How does Sergio Perez feel about his performance?
Perez confessed he is not feeling great about his performance but remains optimistic for future races. He believes they can make a comeback, as they have done in the past.
What was the initial plan of Perez’s team regarding the tyre strategy?
The initial plan of Perez’s team was to complete one lap on intermediate tyres and then switch to slicks. But due to unexpected rain, this strategy did not work as planned.
More about Sergio Perez’s tyre strategy
- Understanding Formula 1 Tyre Strategies
- Sergio Perez’s Racing Career
- Red Bull Racing Team Information
- Understanding Q3 in Formula 1
- Carlos Sainz’s Penalty Explanation
4 comments
Feel bad for Perez. That guy is a machine, deserves a good break. Better luck next time mate.
oh man, Perez is such a talent but these tyre calls r killing his game!! Hope he turns things around soon, he deserves better.
Seriously, it’s like they’re playing roulette with these tyre decisions. Hope Perez bounces back, he’s a fighter!
I think Red Bull and Perez need to rethink their strategies a bit, this is the 3rd time… not a good sign.