Perez starting afresh in Barcelona after Monaco 'disaster'

Sergio Perez aims to get back on track in Barcelona and repay his Red Bull team for its hard efforts after his "disaster" weekend in Monaco.

Perez's strong track record in Monte Carlo and on street circuits in general augured for a strong showing in the Principality, but a clumsy crash in the opening segment of qualifying on Saturday set the Mexican up for a painful Sunday.

Points were never in the cards for the Red Bull driver who finished a lowly P16 amid multiple pitstops and several contacts with his rivals out on the track.

Perez's title ambitions also took a severe hit with teammate Max Verstappen extending his lead in the championship to 39 points in the wake of his dominant win in Monaco.

This weekend's Spanish Grand Prix will equate to a fresh start for Perez.

"Monaco was a disaster for me," he admitted. "Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong.

"So this weekend is all about starting again and making sure we get back to the high standards we have set all season.

"I want to repay my team for all their hard work with a good result in Barcelona."

Read also: Marko unimpressed with Perez, delighted with de Vries

Perez heads into the seventh round of the 2023 season knowing that he still has the best car on the grid, which provides him with little excuse if he fails to perform.

"We know we have the quickest car out there on the right day and this circuit should suit us, I just need to make sure I have a perfect weekend from start to finish," he said.

"I need to be consistent to maintain any pressure on Max in the championship and I need to pick up some wins.

"If I can get it right here the win is achievable and that’s the aim, as always."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.