Perez sees gap to Verstappen: 'Didn't choose the best strategy'

Conditions during qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix were by no means easy. That was also experienced by Sergio Perez, who will have to start the Formula 1 race in Zandvoort from seventh place.

"The conditions were very tricky out there, certainly with the track warming up," Perez said after qualifying. "I think in the end we didn't choose the best strategy going for a double push when the track was at its driest. But it's always easy to know the strategy afterwards." Earlier, Helmut Marko made similar statements about Perez's strategy.

He continued: "Now let's look forward for tomorrow [Sunday] because I believe that our car is very good in the race. So hopefully we can make it back onto the podium." To do so, however, the Mexican will have to deal with Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Alex Albon and George Russell.

Asked if he was surprised by the 1.3-second gap to his teammate Max Verstappen, Perez replied, "I think in these conditions, you got it very right or very wrong, and I don't think we got it right today. So, yeah, nothing really to say about it other than make sure that tomorrow we are able to have a strong race car," he added.