Sergio Perez said he got the most he could out of the MP4-28 to qualify ninth of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Perez out-qualified team mate Jenson Button for the first time this year and was the only McLaren driver to reach Q3 today.
“To get through to Q3 was a great result, and something we really weren’t expecting,” said Perez. “I’m very pleased because I got absolutely everything out of the car.”
“So we’ll go into the race tomorrow looking to maximise our potential. If we can manage that, I think we should be satisfied.”
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said the team considered not sending him out to do a lap during the top ten shoot-out:
“We considered taking the tactical option, in other words not running him at all in order to conserve an extra set of tyres. But, in the end, on the basis that he was driving so well, we decided to go for it in the hope that he might repeat his Q2 form relative to his principal opposition.
“As things panned out, he lost a little time in sector three on his best Q3 lap and ended up in ninth. But, anyway, I want to say ‘Well done Checo’, because he was extremely impressive here this afternoon.”
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Image © McLaren/Hoch Zwei
Kingshark (@kingshark)
11th May 2013, 15:30
Thankfully, if it was not for Perez, the Sky commentators would spend the entire show talking about how Jenson did an amazing job to get that truck of a car in Q2 which is clearly on par with the Marrusia’s, etc…
Nevertheless, excellent job by Checo. Tomorrow, he needs to stay ahead of Button at all costs in order to avoid the rich “team radio messages”.
Sri Harsha (@harsha)
11th May 2013, 15:31
You did a Great Job Checo.
Keep Pushing Kid in this race and Hope Mclaren gives a better car by Monaco.
Dimitris 1395 (@dimitris-1395)
11th May 2013, 15:32
I’m the only one thinking McLaren trying to dump a season in order to get a leap for the big changes occuring next season
meadmonster
12th May 2013, 9:00
You’re not. With a limited amount of on track testing available between seasons it makes sense to test as many concepts for the following years car as possible this year, especially with such a large change coming up next year
Bendanarama (@bendana)
12th May 2013, 11:36
IF they’re not at that point yet, I can see them doing it soon.
meadmonster
12th May 2013, 15:07
It’s already been hinted at by statements made by button and whitmarsh. Also hinted at by the sidepod development as the new turbocharged engines will require a big redesign of radiator and intercooling systems and the air flow into these areas
OmarR-Pepper (@)
11th May 2013, 15:35
so far They are (Button – Perez): 3-1 in races and 4-1 in qualy. But looks like Checo has “woken up” and that is so good. good for Mexican people, good for real racing fans… just bad for Button.
Atticus (@atticus-2)
11th May 2013, 16:58
A better perspective is to look at the last two competitive sessions (races and Qs): it’s 2-0 to Checo. Looking back, his race pace was also better than Button’s in Australia.
Diego Brockmann (@dbrockmann)
12th May 2013, 1:09
Ita 2 – 2 in races, not 3 – 1
karter22 (@karter22)
11th May 2013, 15:35
Well, this must put a dent into the Button fans ego. Got beat bad by the new kid on the block.
I guess they didn´t calm him down enough for you eh Jenson!
lucho19 (@lucho19)
11th May 2013, 15:40
Well done Checo ! I can’t wait to watch you racing tomorrow for an aggressive and exciting race. Keep it up!
joac21 (@joac21)
11th May 2013, 15:46
Calm him down ?
OmarR-Pepper (@)
11th May 2013, 16:08
Calm Jenson down now!
Ed Marques (@edmarques)
11th May 2013, 16:24
Hum, i think he is not calm enough haha.
Sam1
11th May 2013, 16:40
I’m surprised Whitmarsh didn’t find a space in there to praise Button for his smart and excellent job he is doing with the car and how he outsmart and out drove Perez.
mosbourne1122 (@mosbourne1122)
12th May 2013, 11:49
I really don’t understand how Whitmarsh is still in a job..I have been calling for his head for a long time now.. He hounded the best driver out of the team ( Hamilton) and now look where they are..lucky in most cases to get in the top 10 shoot out..! Poor Ron Dennis he must feel like jumping off a tall building!! I would had I left my team to this baffoon!!
The sooner he is away from F1 the better..!
Atticus (@atticus-2)
11th May 2013, 16:57
…which is now 8th. Good job, although this means dirty side on the grid now…
Damien Blackman (@hyakuyagami)
11th May 2013, 17:59
It’s such a sad thing to hear a McLaren driver rejoicing for a 9th in qualifying. Perez sounds like he is still back at Sauber celebrating just making it into Q3!
plutoniumhunter (@plutoniumhunter)
11th May 2013, 18:07
Is it bad that I snorted when I saw Button 0.7s off Perez?
sonia luff (@sonia54)
11th May 2013, 18:23
Plutoniumhunter .Since when does 1.22.069 Checco 1.22.355 Jenson equate to 0.7 ?
Slr (@slr)
11th May 2013, 18:37
Perez was 0.7 faster than Button in Q2.
plutoniumhunter (@plutoniumhunter)
11th May 2013, 19:27
@sonia54 What @slr said.
Ben (@scuderia29)
11th May 2013, 20:02
i dont know if i can take listening to buttons whinging this year if perez keeps this up
sonia luff (@sonia54)
11th May 2013, 20:17
Hamilton moaning that he got his set up wrong, really according to people on here he can set his car up and Jenson can’t. Or is it a case of sour grapes cos Britney got pole ?
Force Maikel (@force-maikel)
12th May 2013, 10:53
I don’t see how this is a “great result”. With the amount of updates they brought it’s IMHO that this was a ridiculous result. It’s about time they realise that they are not invincible.
Look at Williams; 16 championships (Driver + Constructor); both last won in 1997; and now they are nowhere. Clair Williams yesterday made an even more poor impression on me then she already had. “We’re always going to a racetrack to win, because we are Williams and that is what we do”; Don’t make me laugh, you have won one GP in the past 9 years and achieved two poles. Are those the statistics of a front runner? If they don’t watch out the Caterhams and Marussias are going to close up on their tails.
Now I’m not suggesting McLaren is down to that level, ok they haven’t really achieved championships in the past years (except 2008 of course) but race wins have always been there. This is just an example of what an big ego can do to a team. From dominant brilliant front runner too not even being able to compete properly in the midfield. It’s a warning that I’m giving nothing more.
Rant over!