Sergio Perez believes Formula 1 ended up looking “really bad” by implementing a “last minute” solution to policing track limits during the Qatar Grand Prix.
Track limits proved to be a contentious topic from the outset at the Lusail International Circuit, with both McLaren drivers falling victim to deleted lap times in qualifying.
After Pirelli identified micro cuts on its tyres following Friday’s running, the FIA reduced the track width by 80cm at Turns 12 and 13 to discourage drivers from going wide.
However, Perez was one of four drivers throughout Sunday’s 57-lap grand prix to inherit multiple penalties, serving two during the race before having five seconds added to his overall time, dropping from ninth to 10th.
Like ex-team-mate Lance Stroll, Perez branded the track limits fiasco a “joke”, despite admitting he didn’t do a “good enough job” to avoid the stewards’ attention.
“It was, for me, impossible to see,” he said. “I was taking so much margin, giving up so much lap time for it, but I still got more.
“For me, it was very difficult to judge, but there were drivers who were able to do that, so I don’t think I did a good enough job in that regard.
“But I also think it was a joke what we ended up doing with the track limits. First of all, I think that it is really bad that we come up with a solution last minute to police it. Then to start giving penalties away.”
The triumvirate of infringements capped yet another miserable weekend for Perez. The Mexican had already exited Q2 for the eighth time this year in qualifying and then ended Saturday’s Sprint Race in the gravel trap.
The subsequent repairs to his RB19 car resulted in Perez starting the grand prix from the pitlane, but his recovery through the field was stymied by the penalties he earned.
“It was very frustrating, as you can imagine,” Perez added. “A really long afternoon, and I was very disappointed that I let my team down.
“It was a very poor weekend overall with the incident yesterday, which made it even worse today.
“Plenty of things to look at, and make sure we put everything in place for the coming races.”
Despite only adding a solitary point to his total, Perez still holds a 30-point buffer in the Drivers’ standings over Lewis Hamilton, who retired on the opening lap after contact with Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
The 33-year-old remains confident that he can arrest his ongoing slump and retain second place across the remaining five rounds.
When asked about claiming the runners-up spot, Perez said: “Yes, and that is the absolute target. I have had a few bad races lately, but I think once we correct that, I should be able to re-find our form.”
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