Sergio Perez had an abysmal qualifying session in Las Vegas under the lights. The Mexican driver was eliminated in Q2 along with Lewis Hamilton just ahead. Perez could only manage 11th fastest while his teammate Max Verstappen went third fastest in Q3. 

Perez was still in the pits while all the other cars were out on track, which caught Red Bull unawares. The 6-time race winner said in an interview after the session that staying back in the pits was part of Red Bull’s strategy for Qualifying. Perez added that since the track was brand new, the team could not effectively predict the evolution which resulted in his Q2 elimination.

That was basically our strategy from the beginning, I think this track’s obviously a new track and it caught us out unfortunately, so it’s something that we’ll discuss internally to understand.

Sergio Perez told Sky Sports

Sergio Perez will be promoted to 11th on the grid for the Grand Prix after the controversial grid drop for Carlos Sainz. The Red Bull driver will be aiming for points in Las Vegas to outscore Lewis Hamilton. The fight for P2 between Perez and Hamilton has swung Perez’s way after Sao Paulo. This could allow Checo to secure second in Las Vegas if he plays his cards right. 

Jenson Button questioned Red Bull’s strategy for Sergio Perez

Sergio Perez had a very unusual time in the first-ever Las Vegas qualifying session. The Mexican driver was made to stay in the pits after attempting a fast lap too early. Subsequently, the erroneous strategy caught out Perez and kept him out of Q3 yet another time this season.

2009 World Champion Jenson Button was confused by the Red Bull strategy. Moreover, Team Principal Christian Horner had said that Perez took only three sets of tires into Q2. This was a major factor in the strategy. Button felt that the team should not have had such few sets, and said the issue was not managing their tire sets throughout the weekend.

I don’t know why they didn’t have more tyres. That’s the issue. Having just three sets taking into qualifying – that’s why they’re struggling to play it out well in Q2.

Jenson Button said, as reported by planetf1.com

The Las Vegas GP will be the ninth occasion in 2023 where Sergio Perez will start the race outside of the top 10, despite having the dominant RB19 all year. Although, Perez did end up finishing in the points on eight of those occasions. However, Perez’s bid for points in Las Vegas will be challenged by rival Lewis Hamilton just ahead.

In case you missed it:

• Max Verstappen hits out at Toto Wolff for defending manhole incident, claims he ‘expected nothing less from him’
• “Frustrated and disappointed,” Carlos Sainz hits out at rivals for pushing for his Las Vegas GP penalty after securing P2 in Qualifying

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