Sergio Pérez is currently the only change on the starting grid for the Austrian Grand Prix.
The Mexican rider finished Friday’s classification with the fourth best time only to be investigated by commissioners for a possible breach of track limits in Q2.
They determined that he had done so on turn 8, relegating the Red Bull driver to 13th place on the grid.
“Pérez left the track at turn 8 on his last flying lap of Q2, just before the end of the session,” the commissioners ’report states.
“As this was not identified so far before the start of Q3, the lap was not eliminated before the start of Q3 and Pérez started Q3. This is a consequence of having many situations to examine in each session. The video was clear and there is no doubt about the breach, which the team admitted. “
The # F1Sprint starting grid for Saturday 👀
Sergio Pérez has been ruled out of Q3 for exceeding the track limits at the end of Q2
His time has been cleared in Q2 and he will now start from P13 #AustrianGP # F1 pic.twitter.com/aYEJYMhlm0
– Formula 1 (@ F1) July 8, 2022
They went on to explain why P13.
“The usual penalty is to clear the lap time in question and the commissioners order the same penalty here,” the report continues.
“However, as a result, the rider would not have passed in Q3 and therefore to be fair to all other competitors, the commissioners order that all lap times for Q3 for the rider also be eliminate “.
His teammate Max Verstappen will line up in pole position ahead of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, while Pérez’s relegation elevates George Russell to the second row in fourth place.
The temporary exit grid
Max Verstappen Red Bull RacingCharles Leclerc FerrariCarlos Sainz FerrariGeorge Russell MercedesEsteban Ocon AlpineKevin Magnussen HaasMick Schumacher HaasFernando Alonso AlpineLewis Hamilton MercedesPierre Gasly AlphaTauriAlex Albon WilliamsValtteri Bottas Alfa RomeoSergio Perez Red Bull RacingYuki AstTauri TsTauri