Somehow Sergio Perez found a better balance in the RB18 than his Dutch teammate. The Mexican started qualifying with a good feeling – right up to his best time in the final practice session. Before that showdown, the Red Bull driver knew he really had to work to beat at least one of the Ferraris, but he squandered that opportunity in Q3. On his very last attempt, Perez lost the car at turn eight and collided with the rear of the RB18 in the Tecpro barriers. The Mexican is disappointed: “There was more speed in it. The temperature in my last set of tires was really not good.” But what exactly happened? “My second out lap in Q3 was really a mess. Several drivers didn’t respect the delta, so I had too cold tires because everyone was trying to make room in the last sector.”
So Perez knew what to do but almost lost the car on the first turn. Then it was time to make up for lost time. “I was close to my first time and was trying to make it up to me. Turn eight was difficult for me throughout qualifying so I tried to anticipate that. But when I hit the gas I felt the rear end, not because I lost control.” I was also surprised that Carlos hit me. It sucks for him and for the mechanics too, but that’s Monaco.”
The damage to the RB18 was extensive. While this section of the track is not the fastest, the rear wing was no longer in very good condition. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz was shocked by the parked Red Bull and also hit Perez’s right rear suspension with the rear of his Ferrari. “There’s a lot of damage,” continues Perez, who remains positive. “We were strong from the first practice session and were even the fastest in the third practice session. The Ferraris are just a little bit ahead of us and as always the grid position is very important here. It’s been a competitive weekend for us so far. “
Despite the collision, Perez will start third and on the clean side of the grid on Sunday.
