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Why couldn't Perez do what Verstappen could? 'Need to hear from him'

30 June 2023 at 17:45
Last update 30 June 2023 at 17:47
3
  • Toby McLuskie

For the fourth time in a row, Red Bull Racing sits with mixed feelings after a Formula 1 qualifying session. Max Verstappen dominated in qualifying in Spielberg, but Sergio Perez was again stranded in Q2. The Mexican will therefore have to start the Austrian Grand Prix from 15th place.

Horner on Verstappen and Perez

"I asked for a bit of risk, but Max kept it safe. It didn't make much difference, half a tenth at the end," Horner looks back at Q3 at Viaplay. "So it was a very difficult session because the white lines are very difficult for the drivers to see. There were a lot of fouls, but Max did a great job taking that pole position."

For the team, it is not possible to help a driver stay away from the white lines. "He has to do it by feeling and his own judgement. It's the same for all drivers, but it's obviously a bit frustrating. So he had to be a bit more conservative, but still, he was good enough to take pole position."

For Perez, qualifying did not go as well. A missed opportunity, as the Mexican had quite the pace on Friday. "He was able to set about the same lap times as Max, but every lap he drove over the white line. That was hugely frustrating because we could see he had the speed." So why did Perez exceed the track limits up to three times? "We need to sit down together and hear it from him," Horner said.