Pérez: “Anything can happen on Sunday”

If Friday wasn't perfect with a crash in FP1 and a 6th place in FP2, Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) turned the tide on Saturday.

Increasingly confident at the wheel of his RB16B, the Mexican surprised the gallery by slamming the second qualifying time just 35 thousandths behind. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes).

« I must first salute the work of the team. I made a mistake yesterday (Friday) and I gave a lot of work to the mechanics, confided a Sergio Pérez happy with his performance.

We made up for it today (SATURDAY). We have shown real progress, that is the most important thing. I didn't expect to be here after our disappointments the day before. I'm second but I could have been on pole without a small mistake in the last corner. Despite everything it's very positive for us and then it's tomorrow that counts ».

And Sergio Pérez is wise to point this out since he is renowned for his excellent pace on race Sundays. Then second on the grid, the native of Guadalajara appears to be a serious threat to Lewis Hamilton even if he is aware that the task will not be easy.

« Anything can happen tomorrow (Sunday), he warns. I'm on a different strategy than Lewis (Hamilton) and Max (Verstappen). It will be interesting to see what I can do (he is on soft tires compared to medium for his two rivals). It will also be important to get points for the team and continue learning. This is the priority at the moment ».