Regardless of qualifying on the entrance row for the Belgian Grand Prix, Sergio Perez criticized Pink Bull’s run plan afterward.
Max Verstappen was quickest in qualifying however will begin from eleventh resulting from an influence unit penalty, promoted Charles Leclerc to pole place forward of Perez in second. The grid slot is Perez’s finest qualifying consequence because the Chinese language Grand Prix, however he solely made it via to Q3 by 0.003s forward of Alex Albon, and says Pink Bull’s run program was accountable.
“I believe already I used to be fast in Q1, Q2,” Perez mentioned. “The issue was our run program. We completed a lap earlier than everybody. I believe I used to be P4 or one thing. However then whenever you give a lap away, the whole lot was actually shut, so we had been very fortunate to have the ability to make it. It was positively a mistake on our run program to go away us that susceptible, mainly.”
Perez says he’s happier together with his automobile than he was on Friday, however nonetheless doesn’t know if modifications he has made to its setup in a single day will result in considerably improved race tempo.
“We tried plenty of issues, we stored throwing issues at it, and it’s by no means very best whenever you don’t have development,” he mentioned. “As soon as once more as we speak, we threw plenty of issues at it. We discovered a nicer window, just a little bit comparable within the path of Hungary, however we had been rather a lot happier with the automobile.
“So though it’s within the inter circumstances, the steadiness within the medium-high velocity was feeling constructive, in the correct path. I believe tomorrow goes to be a really totally different day. Let’s see how a lot we’re capable of enhance.
“I believe yesterday, McLaren seemed very sturdy, however on the identical time, we’re not that distant. So we’ve completed some modifications within the path of tomorrow. I believe after the primary stint, we’ll have a good suggestion.”
Ranging from the entrance row on Sunday, Perez says his stronger qualifying efficiency has no added significance regardless of the latest stress he has been underneath.
“From my standpoint, it doesn’t change something,” he mentioned. “I’ve at all times mentioned it’s not the place we at the moment are, it’s the way you trip the waves, and the place we end in Abu Dhabi. There are plenty of drivers that haven’t been capable of maximize the efficiency. However clearly the scrutiny on my facet has been fairly a bit larger.
“I believe tomorrow is a brand new day, a brand new alternative. It will have been the identical if I used to be knocked out in Q2 — tomorrow is a brand new alternative to do higher.
“If I don’t have a very good race tomorrow, I’ll attempt to have a very good one in Zandvoort. It’s how it’s. Typically it goes your manner, generally you need to battle and nothing goes in your path. I believe it’s simply the character of the game.”
