Perez explains huge Verstappen deficit in Austrian qualifying

Sergio Perez has revealed the key reason behind his large deficit to team-mate Max Verstappen during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix.

The Mexican ended the session in seventh place, almost one second down on Verstappen, who secured his eighth pole of the season.

Perez has struggled at recent events, with Austria marking the first qualifying session since Miami in which he managed to progress into the final stage of the outing.

Having been forced to burn through his new Soft tyres before Q3, Perez suggested he would have been in the hunt for a spot on the front row. 

“Unfortunately, we didn't have the new tyre in Q3,” Perez told media including RacingNews365. 

“Even when the margins, at times, we were looking within one-tenth from P2.

“But unfortunately, we arrived into Q3 and we had no new tyres left.

“The margin, I think it was four-tenths to Lando and I think a big chunk of that is the new tyre, unfortunately.

“With the strategy we had just for four sets of new Softs so we paid a little bit the price. Q1 was extremely tight, tighter than we predicted.”

Perez hopeful over Austrian GP recovery

Perez has not managed to finish on the podium since China and has scored just eight points at the last three races.

However, the 34-year-old is confident he can recover and make up positions during the grand prix on Sunday.

“It's frustrating to burn through the rubber so quickly,” Perez stated. “Unfortunately, it was not enough for us. 

“We didn't manage to get the maximum but all the changes that we've done, I believe are going to help for tomorrow’s race.

“We’ll see where we really are tomorrow when degradation kicks in.”