Sergio Perez disagreed with the penalty he received for clashing with Lando Norris in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, claiming he “turned into me as if there was no one there”.
Having run an extended second stint, Perez, who started down in ninth, was aiming to recover to the podium places when he made contact with Norris at Turn 6 on Lap 47.
Norris retained the position via the run-off area, but Perez overtook the McLaren on the next lap before also passing George Russell and Charles Leclerc to cross the line second.
However, the stewards adjudged that the Mexican was responsible for causing the collision and thus handed him a five-second time penalty, dropping Perez back to fourth.
Perez labelled the decision a “joke” over the team radio and reiterated that stance later on, asserting that Norris was also partially responsible for the incident at the chicane.
“Yeah, to be totally honest, I think we ended up contacting, which was unfortunate, but to make contact, you require both parties and I think Lando also had some responsibility in that because he turned into me as if there was no one there, we ended up making contact tyre to tyre,” he said.
“You know, I was fully alongside him. He cut the corner, he gained time and I still had the penalty. So I honestly don’t agree with the decision. But, as a driver, there’s nothing you can do. I mean, I’m just happy with the performance we put in today.”
Perez believes that the minor episode was “a 50/50” and contends that Norris momentarily gained an advantage by cutting the chicane and preserving the place.
He added: “I mean, let’s say he didn’t lose anything with it, if anything he gained. But, I mean, when you touch each other. To have that sort of contact, you require both cars, you know, to do that. And I think he had some responsibility in it as well.
“In my opinion, it was a 50/50 but he didn’t end up losing anything if anything he gained. Yeah, hard to understand, why I got the penalty if I’m totally honest.”
After Perez had dispatched Russell for third with a handful of laps to spare, Leclerc slowed down and allowed him through in the hope that he could build a five-second gap.
This unique situation came amid Ferrari’s need for Perez to take points away from Mercedes in the squad’s battle for second position in the Constructors’ standings.
With Perez falling 1.1s short of stealing the final podium place, the 33-year-old admits he was stunned Leclerc didn’t try to slow Russell down through the tight final sector.
Asked if he understood what Leclerc was trying to do, Perez replied: “Yes, I did. But I mean, I was surprised that I thought Charles was going to hold back George in the end a bit in the final sector, because I think I finished 1.1 seconds from George and thought he was going to hold him back.
“It was quite easy to do in the final sector, but maybe he didn’t have the full information.”
The race at the Yas Marina Circuit marked the second time that Perez has lost a podium due to a penalty this season, having also lost out on the final lap in Brazil.
After yet another mishap in qualifying left him requiring a recovery drive in Abu Dhabi, Perez has stressed the need to improve his one-lap form to utilise his speed in race trim.
“I think the Sunday form has been very, very strong this year,” he reflected on the year. “I mean, that’s the only reason we finished second in the championship I think.
“Definitely, Saturdays have been very difficult this season and it’s something we’ve got to work on and make sure that we take a gear there and we improve for next year.”
While Perez has been winless since April, team-mate Max Verstappen dominated the season finale to claim his 18th victory of 2023, ensuring Red Bull won all but one race.
“Yeah, it’s been incredible and, I think we also have to give credit to Max,” Perez said. “He’s done an incredible year in the history of the sport. He’s been driving really, really well. And, yeah, it’s been very impressive to see.”
