Sergio Perez’s Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying went off track—literally.
During a challenging weekend, Perez found himself in the wall, concluding Q1 in an unfortunate crash. What made it more disappointing was his belief that he didn’t need to push so hard during that lap. Reflecting on the incident, the Mexican driver noted that, in hindsight, the lap was unnecessary. He explained, ‘I lost it. I think I clipped the curve, and at that point, it was raining harder in Turn 8.’ The slippery conditions contributed to his loss of control as he exited the corner.
Perez explained that judging the track’s condition was difficult due to the changing weather. He shared, ‘I was improving my lap… We didn’t need to do the lap, but you always know a lot afterwards.’ This suggests a miscalculation that was as much about the unpredictable rain as it was about driver error. The track’s consistency had seemed reliable until sudden dampness altered the grip levels unpredictably.
Despite the mishap, Perez was quick to clarify that his crash wasn’t due to over-driving. He was merely on a proper lap, albeit one that, in reflection, wasn’t needed. He admitted it’s something to review and recognized how such conditions could trip up any driver, sharing, ‘These conditions can catch anyone out. But unfortunately, it has been me. Two in a row.’ Despite the frustration, he remains determined to bounce back.
The crash marred what Perez described as possibly the best Friday of the season. However, persistent scrutiny and pressure about his position at Red Bull loom large. With upcoming critical races, his future has been under review. Committed to turning the season around, he expressed confidence in Red Bull’s ability to repair his car and his own potential to improve his race performance.
Reflecting on his goal for the next race, Perez said that despite starting in 16th, there’s potential for a strong performance. He mentioned his readiness to leverage data from practice runs, aiming for strong pace and points in the main race. The Mexican racer remains optimistic, despite the clouds of doubt gathering overhead.
Sergio Perez’s Hungarian GP qualifying crash serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of racing. With lessons learned, Perez looks forward to redeeming himself in the upcoming race, bolstered by the confidence of overcoming the weekend’s setbacks.
