Sergio Pérez on the starting incident: I gave him enough space

Sergio Pérez scores no points at the Austrian Grand Prix. After a first-lap incident with George Russell, the Red Bull rider suffered damage and failed to recover. In the end, the Mexican retired on the 26th lap.

Max Verstappen’s team-mate got off to a good start from fifth place. On the first lap he tried to pass George Russell on the outside of the fourth corner. The Mercedes driver defended on the inside but understeered on the outside, knocking Pérez down. “Nothing could have happened other than that. I gave him enough space to overtake. I was clearly in front and it was up to him to avoid contact,” Perez said. F1.com. Russell received a five-second penalty for his action and eventually finished fourth in the race.

Irreparable damage

Due to the damage suffered in the first round, Pérez was forced to return. Although Pérez then rode on new hard tyres, he couldn’t get the speed the rest of the field was driving. In the end, the RB18 with starting number eleven turned out to be so damaged that on lap 28 Sergio Pérez had to enter, making him the first retirement of the day. “It’s very frustrating to start like this. In the first lap it’s very important that you start the race without damage. It’s a shame that it ends like this.”

Battle for second place

Due to his retirement and the victory of his competitor Charles Leclerc, Pérez lost second place in the championship to the Monegasques. The Ferrari driver is second with 163 points followed by Pérez who managed to collect 147 points this season.

Read also: Max Verstappen: second is always a good result

Also read: Lewis Hamilton after a second consecutive podium: I certainly did not expect it

To read also: Charles Leclerc: Good fight with Max Verstappen