Sergio Perez reveals reason behind string of poor Formula 1 qualifying performances

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez has opened up about the key issue that has left him "caught out" and led to several disappointing qualifying performances in recent Formula 1 races.

The Mexican driver failed to make it to Q3 for five consecutive races, starting from various positions outside the top ten on the grid for the Monaco to British Grands Prix.

His lowest point was in Monte Carlo, where he crashed out during the first part of the session, landing him at P20 on the grid. Races in Spain, Canada, Austria, and Great Britain presented challenging mixed conditions.

Perez often found himself in unfavourable positions as other drivers improved their lap times on faster track surfaces, notably in Canada, where he misjudged his run and found himself stuck in the garage.

However, his fortunes improved in Belgium when rain affected qualifying, allowing him to secure his first top three fastest lap since his pole in Miami back in May.

Despite this, his lack of consistency has cost him valuable points in the Drivers' Championship, with a 125-point deficit to Max Verstappen as they head into the summer break.

Speaking to the media, Perez admitted, "There is a deficit that I've been experiencing with the car in the last few races. Whenever there is a change of condition, it tends to widen this 'limit,' let's put it that way.

"That has caught us out in the last five races; there have been some changes of conditions in Qualifying, putting us on the back foot."

When asked if he has been over-driving the car, Perez confessed, "Certainly, when you're not fully confident with the car, I think what happened in Monaco probably set me back and took some time to fully trust the car the way I was [driving] it.

"Then you add the external factor of changeable conditions, and there is a bit more discrepancy."

Formula 1 will now take a summer break and return for the Dutch Grand Prix on 28 August at Circuit Zandvoort.