Perez blames cold tyres for missing out on P2 in Styrian F1 GP qualifying

Perez could only manage fifth in qualifying at the Red Bull Ring, while teammate Max Verstappen claimed back-to-back pole positions for the first time in his career.

However, the Mexican will start the race from fourth, moving up a place due to Valtteri Bottas’ three-place grid penalty after his spin in the pit lane during Friday practice.

After struggling for pace in the early part of qualifying, Perez got more comfortable as the session progressed.

“We were so far away from that in Q1,” Perez told Sky Sports F1. “We had to use a second set [of soft tyres], the car was pretty much nowhere and we had to do some balance adjustments so we lost a set. In my Q3 lap, on used tyres, it was looking pretty good and when we went on the new tyres, it was a very complicated lap.

“The tyres were too cold in the beginning. I lost quite a bit into Turn 1, otherwise, P2 was possible with the small margins we had today, definitely, P2 was possible but we didn’t put it together where we could. The race is long tomorrow and there’s plenty to play for tomorrow in the race.”

Unlike his teammate and the Mercedes duo, Perez will be forced to start on the red-marked soft tyre.

Perez believes starting on the soft is the best strategy as he goes in search of his third consecutive podium.

“It was never on the agenda for us [starting on the mediums],” Perez added. “We were clear that we wanted to go through on the softs. We believe that is the fastest strategy for tomorrow. There’s a lot to play for still.

"The aim is to clear Lando as soon as possible. To make sure we are in the race with the leaders soon enough. So that's the main target and make the most out of our strategy, so I'll be as aggressive as needed to just get my track position where I need to be."