Perez hails Red Bull Imola recovery

Sergio Perez is confident he will start the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in a "good position to fight" after tearing through the pack in the Imola sprint.

Perez was among a number of drivers who were caught out by the three red flags that were shown during Q3 on Friday and as a result, the Mexican started the 21-lap sprint seventh.

But a series of impressive overtakes on drivers including Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo pushed him up the order to third, meaning he will start Sunday's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix behind only Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen and championship leader, Charles Leclerc.

"I think it was important to minimise [the impact of] qualifying from yesterday," explained Perez.

"The red flags, we struggled a lot with that so we didn't put a lap together when it mattered but today we managed to recover and I think we are in a good position for the fight tomorrow."

Although both Red Bull drivers will start inside the top three, Perez is joined by the second Ferrari of Carlos Sainz on the second row.

With the Tifosi colouring the grandstands red, the Mexican added: "It would be ideal to get a one-two.

"That would be great for us but probably not the Tifosi, but we will try."

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