Sergio Perez claims "every move on the limit" during damage limitation drive

Perez, Red Bull, DutchGP — Photo: © LAT Images

Dutch Grand Prix

Perez claims "every move on the limit" during damage limitation drive

Perez finished eighth after starting from the pit lane

Ewan Gale

Sunday 5 September 2021 21:00

Sergio Perez revealed every overtake was "very much on the limit" after a brilliant comeback through the field at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Zandvoort was billed as being Monaco-like with its overtaking opportunities, yet Perez was able to fight his way from a pit lane start after taking engine penalties back up to finish eighth and gather vital points for Red Bull in its title battle with Mercedes.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Perez said: "Every overtake was very much on the limit. It was so risky, every one, and I took lots of risk.

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"Following was very hard and I gave it my all today. We managed to minimise the damage, let's put it that way. We have a new engine so we have taken that penalty.

"From now on, it is just looking forward, looking ahead to come back strong into Monza."

Norris contact "unnecessary"

Perez's last overtake of the day came on Lando Norris's McLaren approaching the banking at turn three but not after heavy contact at the first corner in the build-up.

Whilst neither car lost positions due to the contact, Perez was unhappy with the incident.

"It was a bit of a shame at the end," added Perez. "When I passed Lando, I had a lot of damage on the right-hand side of the car.

"I felt it was quite unnecessary. I didn't have enough space and we touched and I damaged quite badly the right-hand side of the car. From then on I lost a lot of grip."