Sergio Perez given three-place grid penalty for ‘unnecessarily impeding’ Nico Hulkenberg during Australian GP Qualifying

Sergio Perez impeded Nico Hulkenberg's lap in Q1 after Red Bull failed to inform the Mexican to let the Haas pass on time.

Sergio Perez given three-place grid penalty for ‘unnecessarily impeding’ Nico Hulkenberg during Australian GP Qualifying

Sergio Perez [L] Nico Hulkenberg [R] (images via IMAGO)

Sergio Perez had a decent outing in Qualifying for the Australian GP. The Mexican driver secured a spot on the second row in third place behind Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz. The 34-year-old delivered a solid result for Milton Keynes in a challenging session. However, Perez will be forced down the order for impeding Nico Hulkenberg in Q1.

During Checo’s first lap in Q1, the Mexican driver ended up blocking Hulkenberg at Turn 13. The Haas was on a decent flying lap to get into Q2. However, Sergio Perez was informed rather late to let the German pass. As such, Nico Hulkenberg‘s lap could not propel him into the next session. The stewards have handed Perez with a three-place penalty for this incident.

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The stewards acknowledged that Checo did not leave the racing line for Hulkenberg for the German’s fast lap. Subsequently, the Haas had to lift off the throttle and brake early. Moreover, race control stated that after reviewing Perez’s team radio, it was found that Red Bull was more focused on the car infront of the Mexican driver.

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Hulkenberg was forced to lift the throttle early and brake early for that corner... In reviewing the audio from Perez’ car, the Stewards observed that the team was focused on the car in front of Perez that had just slowed.
The Stewards wrote in the official verdict as reported by Motorsport.com

Subsequently, Milton Keynes could only inform Sergio Perez only when Hulkenberg was only a second behind. As such, the Mexican driver ended up unnecessarily impeding the Haas of the 36-year-old. The stewards claimed that the three-place drop maintains consistency with previous similar cases.

[Red Bull] did not give Perez a warning that Hulkenberg was behind him until one second before Hulkenberg arrived, and significantly too late to avoid impeding Hulkenberg... the Stewards find that Perez “Unnecessarily Impeded” Hulkenberg and issue a three grid place drop, consistent with previous cases.
The statement concluded

Nico Hulkenberg takes a dig at Sergio Perez over Qualifying incident, claims Checo was having “Mexican siesta”

Nico Hulkenberg was not happy after losing out on Q2 after the incident. The German driver claimed that he lost a couple of tenths in his lap due to Sergio Perez. This could have cost the 36-year-old a spot in Q2 with his teammate Kevin Magnussen narrowly progressing to the second session.

Maybe, because that lap I think was my first 1m17.9s also, and it cost a few tenths.
Nico Hulkenberg said, as reported by Motorsport.com
Nico Hulkenberg
Nico Hulkenberg (via IMAGO)

Hulkenberg joked that Sergio Perez might’ve been having a ‘Mexican siesta’ during the time of the incident. A siesta is a short afternoon nap usually taken after lunch. The German driver reckoned that Checo was simply not looking in his mirrors as he approached the Red Bull in the final stages of the lap.

He [Sergio Perez] was having Mexican siesta, I think. He wasn't looking in the mirror.
Nico Hulkenberg joked

Certainly, Sergio Perez’s race will get tougher with this penalty. The 34-year-old now starts the race from sixth place on the grid behind Charles Leclerc and the two McLarens. As such, the Mexican driver will need to deliver a solid drive on Sunday to ensure that Red Bull bring home the maximum points from the Australian GP.

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