The Mexican had did not make the highest 10 in qualifying, knocked out in Q2 with a lap time 0.015s slower than Daniel Ricciardo’s on his RB.
Perez began the race on arduous tyres in a bid to take advantage of any well timed security automobile intervention, digital or in any other case, which didn’t materialise as the entire race was run uninterrupted.
Perez did handle to outperform each RB automobiles and Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas, however he completed solely eighth, 55 seconds adrift of team-mate Verstappen, in what he referred to as “only a very powerful race”.
“We type of knew that was the very best we may get. We clearly knew the arduous was going to be tough initially, however we have been hoping for a security automobile on the proper level, that probably may put us again within the battle,” the Crimson Bull driver defined.
One of the best timing for a security automobile would have been from lap 28 for Perez, in spite of everything drivers main him had pitted, however even then he was solely fifth, some 15 seconds off chief Verstappen.
Perez wasn’t helped by a lock-up resulting in an tour within the Rivazza gravel lure on lap 17, which value him about 5 seconds. “I additionally picked up some harm,” he added.
Moreover, Perez suffered from being overtaken by Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz and George Russell on their more energizing tyres, whereas he was eking out his first stint on the arduous compound. His tempo by no means recovered – he was typically lapping in 1m21s beforehand however would by no means achieve this once more till he pitted.
Sergio Perez, Crimson Bull Racing RB20
Picture by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
“I wished to lose as little time as potential [when being overtaken],” he defined. “Sadly, on the similar time, you might be on the finish of your stint, temperatures are dropping, and the grip is simply very depressing at that time.”
Crimson Bull had a tough weekend in Imola regardless of Verstappen’s pole place and victory, with the workforce struggling to seek out the proper set-up in free apply.
Perez mentioned the shortage of efficiency on the Italian observe was “a bit circuit-specific” however warned that McLaren and Ferrari “have executed a step ahead” forward of the Monaco Grand Prix this coming weekend.
“We count on a really sturdy McLaren, Ferrari, so it is going to be a powerful problem on the market,” he concluded.
Extra reporting by Sam Corridor
