Perez admits he left it “half a lap too late” to switch to slicks after Q2 exit

Sergio Perez admitted he switched to slick tyres too late in Q2 after failing to reach the top 10 in qualifying for the third race weekend in a row.

The Red Bull driver started the second phase of qualifying on intermediates, as did his team mate. But Verstappen returned to the pits one lap before Perez for slick tyres.

The extra time spent on the intermediates cost Perez his opportunity to set a time on slick tyres when the track conditions were at their driest. By the time he switched to the slick rubber, the rain had returned, and he was unable to set a quick enough time to qualify in the top 10.

“It was basically half a lap too late,” said Perez, “the track position was really poor with Alfa Romeo ahead.”

Perez dropped back from Bottas before beginning his first flying lap in Q2, which cost him more time.

“That was always a plan to do one lap and come back onto the slick tyre,” Perez explained. “We took the decision together and we got it wrong.

“But it was literally a gamble. I think we were missing four to five tenths and then it was all down to the track.”

After he switched to slick tyres it immediately became clear they had switched too late, said Perez.

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“Once the tyres were up to temperature on the slick it started raining harder so we decided to box. And then when we went onto the inter it was all a bit too late.”

Had he changed tyres as early as Verstappen did, Perez believes he could have qualified inside the top 10. “I think there was certainly much more potential in the car to get a lap earlier,” he said. “But we just didn’t get the lap when we could have.”

His latest setback in qualifying means he faces a tall order to avoid losing further ground to Verstappen in the points standings.

“I’m definitely not feeling great,” he admitted, “not going through a great moment. But we’ve come back before and tomorrow it’s a new opportunity to hopefully get back into very strong points.”

Perez’s radio messages before changing to slick tyres

Bird	How are conditions, ready for the slick yet? A few cars have gone for it.
Perez	It’s getting close. How are they doing?
Bird	Albon sector one a few seconds off the pace.
Bird	Turn one two look to be the worst.
Perez	Yeah that’s the worst part.
Bird	Norris just coming out of the pits now. Positive on the brakes when you can.
Bird	Turn 10 Happy to go onto the slick?
Perez	Yeah I think the more laps we put in the better, no?
Bird	Okay so box Checo, we’ll pit.

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