The grid for the Canadian Grand Prix is going to be a lot more mixed up than many people expected.
Qualifying delivered some surprising results with George Russell landing the second pole position of his career.
Speaking on Channel 4 after the session, racing driver Billy Monger was far from impressed with one driver’s performance.
Both Ferrari drivers have work to do to score significant points after failing to reach the top ten shootout.
However, it was Red Bull star Sergio Perez who once again was the most disappointing driver during the session.
The three-time pole sitter failed to get out of Q1 for the second time in succession.
Just like in Monaco, the Mexican driver’s deficit to teammate Max Verstappen was significant and Monger doesn’t think his new contract necessarily guarantees him a place on the grid beyond this season.
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Sergio Perez disappointing again during Canadian Grand Prix qualifying
It’s hard to understand what’s going on with Sergio Perez right now.
The gap between Red Bull and the rest of the field has narrowed but the RB20 is still one of if not the fastest car on the grid.
However, Perez put in another lacklustre lap in Montreal and found himself taking no further part in qualifying in Canada after the first session.
He joined both Sauber drivers, the departing Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg in the bottom five.
In stark contrast, Verstappen delivered the joint-fastest time in Q3, only missing out on pole position because Russell recorded his time earlier in the session.
Monger believes that Perez looks lost right now and nothing he seems to be doing in the car is working.
He’s got some serious work to do during the race to score points and help Red Bull take advantage of both Ferraris failing to reach Q3.
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Sergio Perez failing to justify new contract during Canadian Grand Prix qualifying
Talking after the session, Monger said: “I mean, he just looks lost at the minute.
“His form has completely left him at a time when he’s signed a new contract.
“He’s got some serious work to do and he’s got to find his confidence again because that sort of performance in Red Bull, even though he’s got a two-year contract, he won’t last long having performances like that.”
Contract negotiations between Perez and Red Bull weren’t completely straightforward but it’s hard to see how the Mexican had a huge amount of power during talks.
With Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo both reaching Q3, they showed Christian Horner what he’s potentially missing by keeping Perez alongside Verstappen.
Verstappen may have been able to drag Red Bull to the Constructors’ Championship title singlehandedly last season, but that’s unlikely to be possible this year.
Even though Ferrari had a tough qualifying session, McLaren locked out the second row of the grid and could make a dent in their lead if Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri hold onto their positions.
It’s only going to further increase the pressure on Perez even if he’s just signed a new deal.
The post ‘Won’t last long’: Billy Monger says three-pole driver has ‘completely’ lost form after Canadian GP qualifying appeared first on F1 Oversteer.