Red Bull driver Sergio Perez expressed his surprise after clinching pole position in Miami, admitting it had been his most challenging weekend of the season so far. The final qualifying session at the Miami International Autodrome was marked by unexpected drama, as Charles Leclerc’s spin into the wall disrupted the field’s final flying laps. Perez’s early time in Q3 proved to be the fastest, with his teammate Max Verstappen starting from P9 due to an issue on his first flying lap.
Perez’s pole position is a significant advantage in the championship battle, given Verstappen’s starting position and the limited overtaking opportunities on the Miami circuit. Despite the promising start to the season and his strong qualifying performance, Perez remains focused on the team’s success.
Challenging Weekend Turns Into a Surprising Result:
In his post-qualifying interview, Perez acknowledged that the Miami weekend had presented significant difficulties for him, referring to it as his worst of the season until the qualifying session. The Mexican driver struggled to find the extra tenths of a second compared to his teammate and the Ferrari drivers throughout the practice sessions. However, a small change made ahead of qualifying sparked a significant improvement in Perez’s performance.
Perez’s Focus on the Team: Despite his personal success and the positive start to the 2023 season, Perez remains grounded and committed to his team’s objectives. He emphasized his enjoyment of the current situation but adopted a race-by-race approach, staying focused on the team’s performance. Perez credited the team for their tremendous effort and highlighted the importance of teamwork in achieving their goals.
Looking Ahead:
With pole position secured, Perez understands the responsibility and pressure that comes with it. Aware of the challenges presented by the Miami circuit, he remains optimistic and eager to make the most of the opportunity. Perez acknowledged the passionate crowd and expressed his intention to enjoy the race and give his best on the track.
As the Miami Grand Prix approaches, Sergio Perez’s surprise pole position sets the stage for an exciting race. While Perez recognizes the potential risks involved, he remains determined to capitalize on his advantageous starting position and continue his strong start to the season.