Perez critical of Russell after Austrian GP first-lap collision
Monday, 11 July 2022
The Mexican driver was unable to finish the race.
Sergio Perez has claimed that Mercedes' George Russell was at fault for their collision on lap one of the Austrian Grand Prix, which ultimately ended the Red Bull driver's race.
Perez started the race in fifth while the Mercedes driver started in fourth, and the two came into contact with both drivers blaming the other for the smash.
They came together as both exited turn four, leading to the Mexican driver spinning off and ultimately unable to continue the race.
Russell too sustained damage to his front wing in the incident whilst also receiving a five-second penalty, and yet went on to finish fourth.
Perez was visibly frustrated with what had happened and was quick to put the blame on the Englishman.
The Mexican told Sky Sports F1: "It is a big shame for us.
"I clearly felt, from our side, that we did everything we possibly could to avoid the incident.
"It was only lap one and it was up to George to control his car. He couldn't control it, clearly.
"We ended up making contact when I was clearly ahead."
Perez's failure to finish the race, combined with Charles Leclerc's victory, means that the Red Bull driver drops to third in the drivers' championship standings.
Meanwhile, Russell's fourth-placed finish keeps him in fifth place in the standings, one place above Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton.
History repeats for Mercedes and Red Bull at Turn 4 💥#AustrianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/nNzNhgwJ3R
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 10, 2022
