(Motorsports news) As Hamilton attempted to overtake Peerez into Stavelot, the two collided side by side, with the Mercedes’ left front wheel striking the Red Bull’s sidepod. Due to bodywork and floor damage, the Mexican was ultimately forced to withdraw from the race, and Hamilton was assessed a 5-second penalty, moving him from fourth to seventh in the standings.
In response to a question after his retirement, Perez stated, “It was massive damage from the contact from Hamilton.” He simply took the entire right side of the vehicle. Game over since Hamilton harmed the sidepod and the floor. We let go of it too much.
“I believe he was a little hurried. Today, everyone was eager to get well. The race is over in a flash. It’s not great to have my race destroyed by him, but you have to accept that level of danger. In essence, he simply lost control of his vehicle, was unable to stop, and collided with me, breaking my floor. And that was really regrettable.
Despite starting the race in seventh place, Perez was sure that he was on for a solid finish. He was about to overtake Pierre Gasly to take third. It was looking fantastic, he declared. “The team’s recovery plan was excellent. Gasly was ready to be delivered when this safety car pulled up. So, yes, everything appeared fantastic. However, sadly, it was already too late.
When the sprint finally got underway after several laps behind the safety car, Perez conceded that the conditions were challenging. “I couldn’t see anything when I was P8. The folks behind me are inconceivable to me. Therefore, I believe that the first laps’ visibility was really difficult. But aside from that, everything was alright, he said.
Perez hopes to do well in Sunday’s major event from his third starting position before the summer break. “Yeah, definitely,” he replied. “Tomorrow’s performance must be strong, and that will be the major goal. “We shall know where we really are and how the automobile really works tomorrow. So, anticipating that, and perhaps we can make up the points we dropped today.
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