Perez explains gap between him and Verstappen: 'Max is just in top form'

Where Max Verstappen undoubtedly managed to take pole position in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, Sergio Perez struggled a lot more. The Mexican managed to get no further than fifth place at the Suzuka Circuit. New chances for Perez again tomorrow, as he is not really pleased with his own qualifying.

"Straight forward, I was expecting it," Perez told Viaplay after qualifying. "I really had a scrappy qualifying, especially missing that second set in Q2 was very costly. We didn't think we had the margin after that first run but in hindsight we did," the Red Bull driver said.

"I think Max has been on a very high form and I haven't been able to extract the maximum from the car," said the Mexican after his P5 in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix. "I haven't been comfortable since I got here so we tend to see this sort of gap," Perez concluded afterwards.

Perez will have to start from the third row of the grid during Sunday's race. The 33-year-old driver from Guadalajara will have to put Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc behind him to win the race in Japan.