Featured Image Credit: F1 / Sky Sports
Topics: Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen
Ryan Smart
Sergio Perez was left furious with his Red Bull team after being knocked out of Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying in the second session.
During a rain-interrupted qualifying, both Perez and team-mate Max Verstappen went out, in 13th and 12th respectively, after a red flag was brought out following Lance Stroll's crash.
The Aston Martin driver hit the wall coming out of turn three, and by the time the red flag was waved, both Red Bulls were in the drop zone.
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For Perez, it was another early exit from qualifying after finishing in P18 in Mexico - but this time he could be dissolved of some of the blame as he was on a quicker lap when the red flag fell.
When he asked engineer Hugh Bird how long was left on the clock at the time of the red flag, he was told 45 seconds - insufficient time to get around and a start a flying lap.
And the Mexican was far from happy.
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He fumed: "Come on, guys! We've got to do a better programme [with the timings]!"
Bird replied: "Unfortunately with where we are in the pit lane..."
But Perez shut him down: "It's not an excuse mate. No, no, no. We should have waited. If everyone is waiting at the end of the pit lane, why we go?"
Many will agree with Perez's remarks given that Red Bull sent him out with insufficient time to complete a final lap during sprint qualifying on Friday. He also finished 13th in that session.
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There have been claims that this weekend's Grand Prix in Interlagos could be his last as a Red Bull driver, with team principal Christian Horner refusing to offer reassurances after Perez finished in last at his home race in Mexico.
But Perez stated that he was not worried about his future, telling reporters on Thursday: "You will see me in Vegas. You will see me next year. I'm not the one that worries about it."