Perez not happy with Verstappen's fast laps: 'It wouldn't have changed anything'

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Perez on Verstappen's fast laps in Jeddah
20 March 2023 at 11:37
Last update 20 March 2023 at 11:42
  • GPblog.com

Sergio Perez was not exactly happy with the way Red Bull Racing handled the situation in the closing stages of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. The Mexican reiterated at the press conference that they drove so hard for nothing.

In the final stages of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen gave everything he had to still catch up with Perez. The Mexican, who led throughout, was leading and was told that 1.33.0 was the target time. However, Verstappen still drove a 1.32.6, much to Perez's frustration. Indeed, according to Perez, there was no point in squeezing any more out of the car.

Perez not happy with Red Bull

''I just felt like there was a point where - I don't know - for the last ten laps or so that we had very similar pace, within a tenth, faster or slower. And I just felt like the gap, it will have been probably a little bit less or a little bit more. But it wouldn't have changed anything,'' Perez revealed afterwards. Verstappen clearly thought otherwise and still gave everything he had.

Only in the last few laps did Max really let up, also to save everything for one last lap. In it, Verstappen still gave everything he had to grab the point for the fastest lap, which he successfully achieved. For his part, Perez did everything he could to drive the car calmly to the line, and therefore wants to discuss with the team why these choices were made.