Pérez slowed down in qualifying by shoulder pain

Mixed until then, the debut of Sergio Pérez at Red Bull Racing did not experience the expected improvement this Saturday during qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix where the Mexican had to settle for 8th fastest. 

Victim of a spin after putting a tire in the gravel approaching turn 13 during his first attempt in Q3, the former Racing Point rider only had one attempt to qualify in the Top 10. He finally failed almost a full second behind his teammate Max Verstappen, who will start on the front row alongside the pole sitter Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

The former Racing Point rider, however, has mitigating circumstances to explain his poor performance. 

« It was a bit of a mess today, said Pérez on Saturday evening. I didn't feel 100%. I had shoulder pain during qualifying. I felt bad throughout the session ». 

The problem has only gotten worse over time, says the Mexican, who hopes to return in great shape for the race on Sunday even if he is not entirely sure of the origin of the problem. 

« It was just a bad day, he whispered again. I haven't signed any satisfactory rounds. In Q1, it wasn't too bad, but we never progressed after that. Not being at 100%, it was very complicated to get the best out of the car. It was the hardest qualifying session of the start of the season because I was very physically limited ». 

It definitely seems complicated to get on board the 2nd Red Bull.