P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Perez brushes off Ricciardo F1 Mexico GP qualifying performance
Sergio Perez acknowledged the strong qualifying performance of his teammate, Max Verstappen, as they lined up third and fifth on the grid, with Perez just 0.160s behind the world champion. However, Perez was surprised by the competitiveness of the AlphaTauri car driven by Daniel Ricciardo, who secured fourth place on the grid. Perez downplayed the suggestion that Ricciardo could replace him, acknowledging that there are many other drivers who would want his seat and he is happy for them if they deserve it. Perez also felt that the team lost a set of tires unnecessarily during qualifying, which hindered their progression. He mentioned that the track conditions in Mexico, with changing temperatures, made it challenging to find the right balance and get the most out of the car. Despite the difficulties, Perez stated that there has been progress in his performance and the team’s setup, and they will aim to make progress in the race, even though overtaking is difficult on this track.
Source: motorsport
