Perez began the Melbourne race in sixth after selecting up a three-place penalty for impeding, and having misplaced a spot to George Russell at the beginning he recovered to complete fifth.
He reported that the steadiness did not really feel proper but it surely was solely after the chequered flag that the staff found that the tear-off had turn out to be lodged within the flooring of the automotive.
“We went lengthy on the primary stint,” mentioned Crimson Bull staff principal Christian Horner. “And his precise tempo when he was coming by way of the sphere on the exhausting tyre as he closed in on Fernando was sturdy, and matching that of the leaders.
“After which actually as he is handed Fernando, he is picked up a tear-off beneath the ground and it is bought lodged in an space that is induced important load loss.
“In order he is then handed Fernando, the automotive’s not working because it ought to. And so then you definately begin to see degradation on the tyre, and once more on the finish of the second stint, which has been uncommon for our automobiles.”
Relating to the impression on downforce, Horner added: “I believe it was in extra of 20 factors. So it is a important quantity. It simply exhibits how delicate this stuff are.”
Sergio Perez, Crimson Bull Racing
Picture by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photographs
Requested by Motorsport.com if Perez might have challenged the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc had he not had a three-place grid drop, Horner thinks that the Italian staff in all probability nonetheless had the sting.
“Tough to say,” he mentioned. “I imply for certain he is been compromised when he is picked up the problem with the ground. I believe they have been possibly only a bit, possibly a bit too fast at present, however you by no means know.”
Perez urged that the Albert Park observe merely did not go well with Crimson Bull.
“I believe it is in all probability tarmac-related,” mentioned the Mexican. “If you happen to keep in mind Vegas, we have been already struggling final 12 months.Â
“So I believe there’s one thing in it that. We simply have to ensure we work exhausting to attempt to perceive what the problems are.
“I believe at present we simply did not have the tempo as a staff. If you happen to see Max was overtaken inside two laps. That already exhibits one thing.”
