Perez crashes in first Hungarian practice

Budapest, July 21 (US): Red Bull’s Sergio Perez made a terrible start to the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend after crashing two minutes into opening practice on Friday before rain made the rest of the session largely meaningless.

Reuters reports that the Mexican, who is second overall but 99 points behind dominant teammate and two-time world champion Max Verstappen after 10 races, brought out red flags when he hit the tire wall at turn five.

“I can’t believe it,” Pérez said on team radio, as the stricken car appeared to have sustained major damage.

He added, “I mowed the lawn, and I think when braking, I just lost it.”

The Mexican has failed to qualify in the top 10 in his last five races, standing only once on the podium in the same period, and needs a solid weekend with Red Bull reserve Daniel Ricciardo increasingly in the frame as a potential replacement.

Pérez missed the rest of the session, as the car was sent back to the pits on a truck for the mechanics to begin what would be extensive repairs.

Mercedes’ George Russell, who took his first career pole position in Hungary last year, was fastest overall with a last lap time of 1 minute 38.795 seconds.

It started raining during the pause and then it got stronger.

Australian Oscar Piastri finished second on the timetable for McLaren, Lance Stroll third for Aston Martin and Lando Norris fourth for McLaren.

Verstappen and Ricciardo were among seven drivers not to set a time.

Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion for Mercedes, eight-time winner in Hungary, was one of the seven. The Briton got out of his car before the end of the session and gained nothing from being on track in the conditions.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz also raised red flags when he crashed his car into the curb at Turn 3 with 14 minutes remaining.

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