As McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes move closer to Red Bull’s pace and performance, it is vital for the team to have strong results from both drivers to optimise race results and fend off potential challenges in the Constructors’ Championship.
Max Verstappen has once again demonstrated his driving prowess, despite the numerous issues he’s faced with his car. His teammate, Sergio Pérez, however, has struggled to keep pace, as was evident in the Austrian Grand Prix qualifying session.
Verstappen secured pole position while Perez, slower by eight-tenths, finished in eighth place, behind both Ferraris, Mercedes and McLarens.
After the session, Perez explained how the team’s tyre strategy hindered his ability to maximise his results, leaving him without new tyres at the end of Q3.
The Mexican used all his fresh tyres in Q1 and Q2 as the margins were so close. Less than half a second covered the top 16 in the first segment, with Pérez in P12.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t have a new tyre in Q3, given where the margins were. At times we were looking within a tenth from P2.
“But unfortunately we arrived into Q3, and we had no new tyres left. Given where the margins were I think we were 4 tenths from Lando, and I think a big chunk of that is the new tyre.
“Unfortunately with the strategy we had, 4 sets of new softs, we paid a little bit the price.
“Q1 was extremely tight, tighter than we predicted.”
He voiced his frustration at having to do that, although a Q3 appearance means he can fight for some decent points on Sunday.
Nonetheless, the 34-year-old is confident his set-up changes will help.
“It’s frustrating to burn through the rubber so quickly.
“And unfortunately it was not enough for us, we didn’t manage to get the maximum.
“But all the changes that we’ve done, I believe that they’re gonna help for tomorrow’s race.”
Heading into the weekend, Pérez had hoped to start well and be on the front foot following a very tough Spanish GP weekend. Braking has been an issue, however.
“I was struggling a bit on the braking and I think it’s something that we have to improve.
“Other than that, I mean, when you look at the timing, two to three-tenths, life will look very different. So unfortunately we didn’t get the maximum out of qualifying in terms of tyre usage and we unfortunately ran out of tyres.”
When asked if he believes that he can get through the Mercedes’ and the Ferraris to get a podium, he was doubtful. Pérez was a distant P8 in the Sprint.
“Well, it didn’t look like it today early on, but we will see tomorrow. We will see where we really are when the degradation kicks in and there is a massive long race ahead of us tomorrow.”
