Sergio Perez admitted he switched to slick tyres too late in Q2 after failing to achieve the highest 10 in qualifying for the third race weekend in a row.

The Purple Bull driver began the second part of qualifying on intermediates, as did his crew mate. However Verstappen returned to the pits one lap earlier than Perez for slick tyres.

The additional time spent on the intermediates price Perez his alternative to set a time on slick tyres when the observe circumstances have been at their driest. By the point he switched to the slick rubber, the rain had returned, and he was unable to set a fast sufficient time to qualify within the prime 10.

“It was principally half a lap too late,” stated Perez, “the observe place was actually poor with Alfa Romeo forward.”

Gallery: 2023 Canadian Grand Prix qualifying in picturesPerez dropped again from Bottas earlier than starting his first flying lap in Q2, which price him extra time.

“That was at all times a plan to do one lap and are available again onto the slick tyre,” Perez defined. “We took the choice collectively and we bought it fallacious.

“Nevertheless it was actually a raffle. I feel we have been lacking 4 to 5 tenths after which it was all all the way down to the observe.”

After he switched to slick tyres it instantly turned clear that they had switched too late, stated Perez.

“As soon as the tyres have been as much as temperature on the slick it began raining more durable so we determined to field. After which once we went onto the inter it was all a bit too late.”

Had he modified tyres as early as Verstappen did, Perez believes he might have certified inside the highest 10. “I feel there was definitely rather more potential within the automotive to get a lap earlier,” he stated. “However we simply didn’t get the lap once we might have.”

His newest setback in qualifying means he faces a tall order to keep away from shedding additional floor to Verstappen within the factors standings.

“I’m positively not feeling nice,” he admitted, “not going by way of an ideal second. However we’ve come again earlier than and tomorrow it’s a brand new alternative to hopefully get again into very robust factors.”

Perez’s radio messages earlier than altering to slick tyres

Chicken
How are circumstances, prepared for the slick but? Just a few vehicles have gone for it.

Perez
It’s getting shut. How are they doing?

Chicken
Albon sector one a number of seconds off the tempo.

Chicken
Flip one two look to be the worst.

Perez
Yeah that’s the worst half.

Chicken
Norris simply popping out of the pits now. Optimistic on the brakes when you’ll be able to.

Chicken
Flip 10Happy to go onto the slick?

Perez
Yeah I feel the extra laps we put within the higher, no?

Chicken
Okay so field Checo, we’ll pit.

2023 Canadian Grand Prix

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