Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez saw his day at his home race – the Mexico City Grand Prix – end suddenly and unhappily before he had even completed the first corner.
At the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Perez started the race P5 and took a great jump off the line.
But he entered Turn 1 three wide, with teammate Max Verstappen on the inside and polesitter Charles Leclerc in between.
Perez turned towards Leclerc’s Ferrari, his right rear tire cutting Leclerc’s left front tyre.
It caused Perez’s car to bounce into the air and caused serious damage to the structure of his vehicle, forcing Red Bull to retire him after just one lap.
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Sergio Perez ended his day early before even completing the first corner in Mexico City
Perez (front right) went three wide into the first corner with teammate Max Verstappen (front left) on the inside and Ferrari driver and pole sitter Charles Leclerc in between
Perez’s right rear tire collided with Leclerc’s left front tire, sending him flying through the air
Perez sent the car back to the paddock, where Red Bull retired the vehicle
It’s a frustrating end to the week for Perez, who was hoping to make amends for his home fans