Perez out of Belgian GP after crash on way to grid
The Mexican lost control of his car in treacherous conditions coming out of the Les Combes chicane on his reconnaissance lap to the grid and ended up in the wall.
The impact ripped off the front suspension of Perez’s car, ruling him out of the race before it had even started.
Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley confirmed to FIA race director Michael Masi that Perez would be unable to take the start due to the damage sustained to his car.
Perez was due to line-up seventh on the grid on the weekend Red Bull announced he will be remaining as Max Verstappen’s teammate for 2022.
A number of drivers have reported visibility concerns ahead of the race, with a Safety Car start seeming likely unless the situation dramatically improves.
George Russell, who will start second, said: “Visibility is very poor. Even when I was about six seconds behind the car ahead, I couldn't see down the straight."
Not the start we wanted. Checo slides into the wall at Turn 6 on his way to the grid and is unable to continue. #BelgianGP
— Red Bull Racing Honda (@redbullracing) August 29, 2021
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