Perez bemoans 'total disaster' after latest qualifying howler

Sergio Perez has detailed the key reason behind his lack of pace during qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix.

The Mexican driver suffered a second consecutive Q1 exit and is set to start the Montreal race from 16th on the grid.

Following a strong start to the campaign, Perez has slipped into difficulty at recent events, with Miami marking the last time he secured a starting position inside the top 10.

With another early finish to his day coming in Canada, the 34-year-old explained he was lacking confidence with the rear of his car during the session.

“The main thing was to switch on the rear,” Perez told Sky F1. 

“The rear axle for me was quite tricky and I ended up paying the price for it. Basically, I just had no grip, I was sliding too much, and our qualifying was a total disaster." 

“I think in hindsight there are things we could have done better but fundamentally, we were lacking some pace.”

Perez laments tyre temperature concern

Rainfall, which has flirted with the Montreal track throughout the weekend, hit the circuit prior to qualifying and washed away much of the racing line that had been formed.

As drivers acclimatised themselves to the surface and restored grip levels, Perez added he struggled to produce the necessary tyre temperature.

“It was more a tyre thing than a kerb thing. In these conditions, somehow, we were not able to switch on the rear axle, I couldn't lean on it all.

“I just didn't have any confidence to push, so it was a total disaster unfortunately." 

"It's a total disaster but let's see what happens with the weather, and what we can do with the strategy.”