Sergio Perez - Photo Credit: Sauber Motorsport AG
Sergio Perez has said that he was ‘disappointed’ after crashing out during the first part of qualifying today in Monaco, and said that his Sauber team are still checking to see whether there was something wrong with the car.
The Mexican clouted the barrier coming out of the swimming pool complex on his first flying lap and was unable to continue in the race. He will start tomorrow’s race from the back of the grid.
“I am disappointed as I felt we could fight for a very good grid position here,” said the Mexican. “We are still analysing everything to see if there was something wrong with the car. I was on my first lap, so was not pushing a lot. I went into the tunnel and had a lot of understeer and then I went into turns 13 and 14. Thirteen was quite fine but in 14 I just went straight and didn't get the car to turn.”
Team-mate Kamui Kobayashi performed much better than Perez today, qualifying twelfth. However, the Japanese driver was also unhappy with his session.
“Of course I had hoped for a better result today,” he said. “With the super soft tyre compound you only have one lap to set a good time. I managed to improve in Q2, but unfortunately not enough to be able to start in Q3. Nevertheless, the car was good and it will be good in the race, so I think we can improve tomorrow.
“A lot will also depend on our race strategy and some luck in terms of safety car periods, which can always happen here. I'm positive we can score good points tomorrow.”
Team Principal Peter Sauber succintly summarised the sentiment within the team after qualifying: “I am disappointed and I expected a much better result,” he said.
