Sergio Perez’s hopes of a return to the F1 podium ended in tears after a coming together with Carlos Sainz towards the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has revealed the team is struggling for spare parts following Sergio Perez’s crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Perez was chasing a podium result in the final stages of the Baku race and was engaged in a fierce battle with the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
On the penultimate lap of the race, Perez and Sainz came together on the exit of Turn 2 and impacted the barrier at high speed, inflicting terminal damage on both cars.
Horner has stated the team is now rushing to get spare parts in supply for this weekend’s round at Singapore, with the Marina Bay Circuit posing another challenge to the drivers due to its narrow layout.
“Spare parts are in short supply,” Horner confirmed to Auto Motor und Sport.
“We will have to work through five days at home in the factory to get the necessary parts to Singapore in time for Friday.”
Perez was hunting for his first podium since April as he looked to cap off a strong weekend during which he out-performed team-mate Max Verstappen.
Although he was running in fourth place at the time of the incident with Sainz, Horner maintained that a runner-up spot was possible for the Mexican driver.
“Checo had the two front runners in front of him until the end,” he said. “Although he was driving in turbulent air the whole time, the tyres held up. He was on course for a podium.
“A second place was possible, because Leclerc’s rear tyres were completely worn out.”
