Perez aiming for history repeat after shock front row start

Sergio Perez is hoping he can replicate his start to last year's Belgian Grand Prix for this weekend's race at Spa-Francorchamps after securing a front-row starting position.

The Mexican driver ended the qualifying session in third place behind team-mate Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

However, as was the case 12 months ago, Verstappen has taken a power unit-related grid penalty, promoting Leclerc and Perez into first and second respectively.

Last year's race saw Perez take the lead on the opening lap by overtaking Leclerc into Turn 7.

Having enjoyed his strongest qualifying session since the Miami round almost three months ago, Perez is hoping for a similar outcome this time around.

“It was very tricky at times,” Perez said, reflecting on the session. “In these conditions, it's easy for it to go wrong, as it's been going in the last few qualifyings in these conditions. 

“It was good to finally put it together. Unfortunately, we didn't have any new tyres for Q3, we were a bit out of sync in Q2 so we were also quite lucky to make it in P10. 

“I think P2 is probably the best position you can wish for at Spa. It was the same with Charles last year, so going to try [on Sunday] to do the same. 

“It's a long race ahead of us, it looks like it's going to be dry, so we'll see.“

Perez sets sights on race win

Perez is the only driver occupying a spot in the top eight of the drivers' championship who is yet to win a race this year.

As he drives with his future within the Red Bull team on the line, the 34-year-old is aiming to become the eighth different grand prix winner this year.

“Like I've always said, every weekend is a new opportunity to do better,” he stated. 

“[Sunday] is an opportunity for us to do even better [than qualifying] and go for that win.

“It's a very long race ahead of us, I think degradation will be quite tricky and graining. 

“With this new tarmac, I think there are a lot of unknowns still but I got a good feeling, so we'll see.”