Perez disappoints again and drops out in SQ2: Verstappen a second quicker

Sergio Perez failed to make it into the top 10 in sprint qualifying. The Mexican was a second slower than Max Verstappen in his run in SQ2, which was not enough for a place in the top 10.

After Oscar Piastri's early elimination in SQ1, there was a good chance for Red Bull Racing to score points in the sprint race with two drivers to catch up with McLaren. That will be a lot harder now with Perez away from the points paying positions on the grid.

In the second part of sprint qualifying, Perez was as much as a second slower than teammate Verstappen. The Dutchman comfortably made it through to the final session of the weekend with Red Bull's upgrades.