Sergio Perez has experienced a disastrous start to the Australian Grand Prix, leaving the Mexican driver furious with his team.
During FP3, the Mexican driver ran wide at turn three having locked up his front right tyres before going off the track at turn one a few laps later.
As the session was coming to a close, Perez went off the track again, running through the grass before rejoining the circuit.
“He’s just got no confidence on the brakes… Literally this would be one of the worst sessions in Checo’s F1 career,” Sky Sports F1 presenter Karun Chandhok said.
READ: Red Bull worried after Max Verstappen hit with ‘significant disadvantage’
The poor preparation left the Red Bull driver unprepared for qualifying, which saw him drive his car off the track and into a gravel trap at the Albert Park Circuit.
“We need to solve that issue man. It was the same f***ing issue again,” Perez shouted at his engineers over the radio before exiting the vehicle.
“It was just a mess. I couldn’t get up a lap in. We made some changes which seemed to be working well into sector one, sector two, but not much to say really,” Perez told reporters post-qualifying.
Perez will begin Sunday’s Grand Prix in P20, forcing him to fight his way through the whole field if he is to continue his battle with teammate Max Verstappen for the Drivers’ Standings.
As it stands, Verstappen leads the title race with 44 points to Perez’s 43.
READ: Christian Horner furious with FIA’s ‘absolutely ludicrous’ decision
The Dutchman is likely to extend that lead over his Mexican teammate on Sunday, as Verstappen starts from pole position.
Red Bull will be hoping Perez can make quick work of the field, pushing past his rivals on his way to the front.
After two races, Red Bull is dominating the Constructors’ race with 87 out of a possible 88 points.