Perez: "The engine is damaged and it went all the way to the radiator"

Sergio Perez was one of five unlucky drivers not to make it through the first lap. The Mexican was hit hard by Valtteri Bottas who could not brake in time for the first corner.

""Unbelievable, such a shame," Perez said in front of the Ziggo Sport camera. "I was already up to third place. I out braked the McLaren, felt that I was well ahead and unfortunately Bottas did a big mistake."

Bottas braked and crashed first into Lando Norris, who in turn crashed into Max Verstappen. Bottas himself slipped and hit Perez in the side immediately after. "It ruined our race. The engine is damaged, it went all the way to the radiator so a bad shunt," Perez continued.

"It's very humid so will dry out quickly, we just got to support max know who has a good chance of getting a podium." By now the track has dried considerably, but Verstappen is driving around with a badly damaged car. A podium seems out of sight.