Sergio Perez has had a nightmare during recent F1 qualifying sessions missing out on Q3 at five consecutive events before finally claiming P9 last time out in Hungary.

The Red Bull driver now has been out qualified by his team mate 9-2 which is the same score as Lance Stroll has against Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin.

 

 

Perez shocking qualifying record

Only Oscar Piastri down 10-1 to Lando Norris and Logan Sargeant 11-0 down to Alex Albon have worse comparative number when compared to their team mates.

Red Bull advisor Dr. Marko powers whether the team should consider using two different drivers for the Belgium Grand Prix.

Joking with Kleine Zeitung the Red Bull boss suggested: “Let’s put it this way. We’ll get him (Hulkenberg) for qualifying and then Perez will drive the race.” 

 

 

Team concerned over Mexican’s form

Despite the obvious light hearted nature of the comment it clearly reveals Perez poor qualifying is an issue within the F1 world championship team.

The Mexican driver has also failed to make it out of the first qualifying session on three occasions despite driving the best car on the grid.

Prior his return in Budapest to some kind of one lap form, Perez has been reminded in public by Horner and Marko his qualifying performances must improve – and quickly.

Pirelli slap down Hamilton’s ‘stupid’ criticism

 

 

Ricciardo piles on the pressure

Speaking to OE24 at the Hungaroring, Marko observed on Saturday evening, “he is clearly improving after fighting his way from ninth on the grid to third in Hungary. Finally he made it to Q3 again. You can see an upward trend.”

Red Bull have piled the pressure on Checo with their recent appointment of eight time Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo to their junior team AlphTauri.

After his dismal two years at McLaren, the Aussie was appointed as Red Bull’s reserve driver for this year.

McLaren Spa shock and Norris concerns

 

 

Perez stubbornly marches on

The team are clearly benchmarking Tsunoda and Ricciardo out qualified him the first time in a competitive race car for almost eight months. In the Hungarian race Danny finished ahead of the Japanese driver despite receiving a first corner rear end shunt from Alfa Romeo’s Zhou which saw Ricciardo fall to the back of the field.

So far Perez stubbornly refuses to be cowed the there paddock talk of him being sacked stating:

“I’ve been in F1 13 years, and I’ve seen it all. Not worried about any of that. I’m mainly focused on getting my season on track and making sure I keep enjoying this.”

Marko claims 3 teams facing cost cap breach sanctions

 

 

Verstappen grid drop opportunity for Checo

With Verstappen set for a five place grid drop in Hungary for taking one more gearbox than allowed for a season, Perez has the real opportunity to start on pole and take his third race win of the year.

Further, Verstappen did not set a time in the wet first practice session and with the cars now in parc ferme for afternoon qualifying, will be guessing at the best setup for the rest of the weekend.

Top of the FP1 times sheets was Carlos Sainz completing nine laps as he gathered data for Ferrari to decide on the ;even of rear wing they will deploy.

Red Bull’s Perez managed just 5 laps and was over five seconds slower than the Ferrari of the Spaniard.

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From P14 to P1 🤯@Max33Verstappen was simply unstoppable in Belgium last year! 🚀#BelgianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/o0mHTfOXvy

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 27, 2023