Ill Perez faces Austrian GP fitness race

Sergio Perez faces a race for fitness ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix after becoming unwell.

The Mexican sits 69 points behind Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen in the F1 Drivers' standings after an indifferent run of form, having failed to reach Q3 in each of the last three qualifyings.

Whilst Perez would have targeted the Sprint weekend at the Red Bull Ring as a chance to rebound from his poor performances after a break week, he now looks to be on the back foot after falling ill.

Red Bull confirmed that having become unwell on Wednesday (28 June), Perez would be absent from the circuit for Thursday's media obligations in order to ensure he was in the 'best possible health' for the race weekend.

Drivers are afforded only one practice session ahead of qualifying as part of the alternate Sprint format, with Saturday now separated from the Grand Prix proper with its own qualifying Shootout ahead of the Sprint.