Perez Blames Leclerc Incident for Early Exit in Qatar Sprint Qualifying

Sergio Perez faced another disappointing qualifying session for the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint, as he was eliminated in SQ1, starting P16 for the 19-lap Sprint race. This marks the sixth consecutive Sprint Qualifying this season where Perez has been outperformed by his teammate, Max Verstappen. While Verstappen starts in P6 for the Sprint, Perez’s poor qualifying result has raised concerns about his performance heading into the final two races of the season.

Sergio Perez’s Struggles in Qatar Sprint Qualifying

In what could be described as a tough Qatar Sprint Qualifying, Sergio Perez expressed his frustration after failing to secure a spot in the top 15. He was knocked out in SQ1, finishing just 0.013 seconds behind Alex Albon and Liam Lawson, meaning Perez missed out on advancing to the next session by a slim margin. The Qatar Grand Prix circuit, known for its fast corners and technical layout, proved challenging for Perez, especially with a traffic issue involving Charles Leclerc.

Perez was forced to navigate through Turn 1 while battling with the Ferrari driver, which ultimately cost him valuable time on his final lap. Perez acknowledged that the timing was unfortunate, as he had been improving with each session, particularly from his earlier P18 position in the first practice. Despite the improvement, Perez’s Sprint Qualifying exit meant he would be starting further down the grid, making it even more difficult to recover positions in the Sprint race.

Perez’s Focus Shifts to Main Race Qualifying

After the disappointing result, Perez shared his disappointment but also his resolve to bounce back. Despite the challenges in the Sprint Qualifying, Perez suggested that the team would be shifting focus toward Sunday’s race qualifying. He emphasized that the Sprint race would be a tough challenge, but his priority was to secure a better starting position for the Grand Prix.

Perez’s frustrations mirror those of Max Verstappen, who was also struggling with the balance of his Red Bull car. Verstappen, who starts P6 for the Sprint race, stated that he didn’t expect much improvement for the Sprint race, noting that he was struggling with a lack of pace and a poor balance in the car, which made it difficult to attack corners, especially the high-speed sections. Verstappen commented, “Just no pace to be honest. Just slow. I just don’t really have the balance to attack the entry to mid-corner. The car is just a bit off so it makes it really difficult around here.”

Red Bull’s Qualifying Woes and Sprint Challenges

For Red Bull Racing, the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint poses another challenge. Max Verstappen, despite being a dominant force throughout the season, was three-tenths off the pole time set by Lando Norris in Sprint Qualifying. Verstappen expressed that his performance in Sprint Qualifying was far from ideal, with the car’s balance making it difficult for him to extract the performance he needed. While P6 is a solid starting position, it is far from where Verstappen expects to be, especially when aiming for the top spots.

In the case of Sergio Perez, the Qatar Sprint Qualifying incident with Leclerc added more frustration to an already challenging weekend. Perez had been eager to improve after securing a single point in the previous Las Vegas Grand Prix, but the setback in qualifying leaves him with much to do. Perez’s performance in Sprint Qualifying reflects a broader issue of qualifying struggles this season, which have seen him consistently fall behind Verstappen.

Looking Ahead: Red Bull’s Strategy for Improvement

With two rounds left in the season, Red Bull and Sergio Perez will focus on improving qualifying performance for the final races. The team’s primary goal will be to address the balance issues in the car that have plagued both drivers in recent sessions. While Perez’s focus shifts to Sunday’s race qualifying, Verstappen remains optimistic that improvements can be made in time for the main event.

Both drivers will look to analyze their performances, making adjustments to maximize their potential. Given the competitive nature of the current season, qualifying and race strategy will be key in determining the final outcomes in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

In conclusion, while Sergio Perez has had a tough start to the Qatar Sprint Qualifying, he remains determined to bounce back. Despite the challenges, the Red Bull Racing team remains focused on securing better results for the main race and maintaining a strong finish to the season.