Perez reveals crucial detail in 'super frustrating' Sainz crash

Sergio Perez has revealed a crucial detail relating to his race-ending penultimate lap crash with Carlos Sainz in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. 

Perez was back to his best throughout the weekend in Baku, initially overtaking Sainz for third on the opening lap. 

The Red Bull driver remained in that position, and was briefly in contention for victory at the Baku Street Circuit before race winner Oscar Piastri managed to finally escape the clutches of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc late on.

With Leclerc's rear tyres falling off a cliff, Perez then threatened the Monégasque for second position. When a move into Turn 1 on the penultimate lap failed, that allowed Sainz to sweep through into the final podium position. 

As Perez pulled alongside Sainz on the exit of Turn 2, however, the duo collided as Sainz drifted across onto the racing line, sparking a collision and heavy impact into a wall.

Reflecting on the incident, speaking to media including RacingNews365, Perez said: "Super frustrated that we both ended our weekends like that for our teams. 

"It's just a shame because when we exited Turn 2 there was a metre between the cars. And then within a metre or two, we ended up making contact. 

"I think, obviously, I understand what Carlos was trying to do to follow Charles' tow, but I was there, you know? 

"It all happened very quickly as he had more speed, and the way he moved meant he touched my front right-tyre quite quickly."

Sainz unsighted

The dramatic incident promoted George Russell into third and onto the podium, denying Perez a first rostrum since the Chinese Grand Prix last April. 

Perez and Sainz spoke after their incident in the media pen, where the Spanish driver informed the 34-year-old of a key detail which led to the crash. 

When asked what Sainz said during their conversation, the Red Bull driver revealed: "Basically at the time, he didn't realise that I was there.

"And like I said, what disappoints me the most, is that we exited turn two with a metre between the cars, and we still, within two metres, end up making contact."

The crash is under investigation, and is the third incident involving Sainz and Perez over the weekend. 

Sainz received a warning for impeding Perez on Friday, before Perez received a warning after FP3 for the same infringement. 

"It's a shame, because Carlos is definitely the last guy I want to have an incident with, and it's just a shame that we both ruined our weekends," added Perez.