Perez blames Verstappen: 'It wasn't ideal'

Red Bull Racing did not have the best sprint race. While Max Verstappen relinquished his first place to Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez failed to move higher up than fourth place. Despite this, the Mexican remains hopeful for the race.

Perez took it upon himself prior to the race weekend to build on the form of the previous week. Then, in his home country, he put in a rock-solid third place, but in the sprint race in Brazil he failed to get on the podium. "It wasn't ideal, because I was behind Max and I think he didn't have the best start. That's why the Ferrari came through," he told Speedweek.com about the start.

It resulted in Perez having to chase and having no choice but to try and overtake Carlos Sainz in the short format. The Red Bull driver was unsuccessful in doing so, allowing Ferrari to start the race from third place on Sunday night.

"I tried to overtake him again in the slipstream and I also came close, but then I struggled a bit in the last corner," he explained. "I didn't get away well and therefore I couldn't overtake him. Besides, the Ferrari had good speed on the straights and I didn't want to risk too much to pass him again."