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Perez retrospective qualifying Baku

Perez still not satisfied: 'I think I could have gone even faster'

28 April 2023 at 17:29
Last update 28 April 2023 at 19:29
  • GPblog.com

Sergio Perez is not yet completely satisfied with his third qualifying spot for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. At the post-qualifying press conference, Perez told GPblog and others that there had probably been more in it for him.

After a blood-curdling final qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Perez managed to set a third fastest time, just one tenth slower than his teammate Max Verstappen and three tenths behind pole-sitter Charles Leclerc. It means pole position does not go to Red Bull for the first time this season.

"I think certainly I had more pace than what I've shown today," Perez acknowledges. "But I'm still in the fight. I think with these tricky qualifying and very little time to get ready for quali, it was just important to make sure that we are in a good position for Sunday."

Perez starts better than in Australia

While Perez might have hoped for more, his third place was still considerably better than the previous qualifying session. At the previous race, in Australia, Perez crashed out in qualifying and the Mexican had to start from the pitlane.

"Well it's much better being P3 than not even making it through Q1 ," Perez reflected laconically. "I think I'm getting back my confidence, it really knocked my confidence quite a bit if I'm honest, what happened in Melbourne. Especially considering we had a three-week break and then you go straight into qualifying pretty much and it's all about breaking here, having that confidence on the braking and I think I'm getting there."