Perez points to race officials: "Don't know what they were doing"

Sergio Perez didn't get onto the podium in the French Grand Prix. The Mexican was expected on the podium, especially after Charles Leclerc's early retirement. However, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell managed to beat the Red Bull Racing driver on his own. He is not satisfied.

Russell lost his position at the end of the virtual safety car. Helmut Marko had already indicated that his pupil was sleeping, but the Mexican himself feels that he is not entirely to blame for losing his place. He points to the race management and its unclear instructions.

"It was reported that we would stop at Turn 9 [with the virtual safety car], so I went for it there, but in the end the track wasn't released until Turn 13, so I don't know exactly what they were doing," Perez said to Viaplay's camera.

The 32-year-old said he enjoyed the duel with Russell, although he felt the Mercedes driver was a little too aggressive in Turn 8. Perez had to swerve as a result. "It was a good battle apart from turn 8, we were fighting for the corner and we [almost] ruined our races. Other than that, it was a good battle and a good race from George. I just got struggle with the virtual safety car. It said it would end at turn 9 so I went for it, but it was turn 13 so I don't know what they were doing with it," Perez said.