Sergio Perez "apologised to the entire team" after Spa crash

Perez crasht op Spa in verkenningsronde. — Photo: © LAT Images

Dutch Grand Prix

Perez "apologised to the entire team" after Spa crash

Perez cost Red Bull three points with his pre-race crash in Belgium

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall

Friday 3 September 2021 13:20

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Sergio Perez has revealed he "apologised to the entire team" after costing Red Bull points with a pre-race crash at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Perez had been due to start seventh before aquaplaning into a barrier on the parade lap, damaging the front wing and suspension that initially forced him out of the race.

During the extended rain delay, however, Red Bull repaired the RB16B and after talks with FIA race director Michael Masi, the team was allowed to return him to the race, starting from the pitlane.

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But with only two 'racing' laps eventually conducted behind the safety car before the event was called off, Perez finished last.

Asked what Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko had said to him in the garage following his off, Perez said: “Everything was so intense. At the time, we were trying to repair the car.

"We had a brief comment and we didn’t say anything, it was just about the next step in going back to race.

"We put the big rear wing on the car and we were all pumped up to race and get a result back.

“He doesn’t need to tell me anything. I knew what I had done wrong. I have been long enough in F1 and I have apologised to the entire team for my mistake.”

Perez targets bounceback podium

With half points awarded, Red Bull closed the points gap to Mercedes to just seven in the constructors' championship through Max Verstappen's victory, but the margin would have been closed by a further three without Perez's error.

The scoreless result was the Mexican's third in succession after also failing to register in Britain and Hungary.

Perez is now fully focused on his ambition for this weekend's Dutch GP, adding: “[The goal is] to get back to the podium, to get into the positions where the car belongs and have a clean weekend.”