Red Bull Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez was ruled out of the Belgian Grand Prix before it started after crashing on a reconnaissance lap in awful conditions.
The weather has been poor all weekend at Spa with all of Saturday’s running taking place in wet conditions and rain falling steadily for much of Sunday prior to the race.
Visibility was clearly poor and grip levels very low as the cars completed their reconnaissance laps on full wet tyres.
Perez went deep into Les Combes and then had a snap of the rear through the second part, which he tried to correct but was then sent into the barrier nose-first.
The impact did significant damage to the front right and Perez was unable to get the car out of the barrier, so had to abandon it.
It meant Red Bull did not even have a chance to complete a repeat of the on-the-grid heroics from Hungary last year when mechanics repaired Max Verstappen’s car after a similar albeit less impactful off.
“Very disappointed not to be able to take the start,” Red Bull boss Christian Horner told SkySportsF1.
“I mean it just shows how tricky conditions are out there.
“He reported he couldn’t really see anything and unfortunately the car’s just got away from him. So great shame for Checo and the team not to be starting the race.
“For Max, it doesn’t really change anything for him and his approach but obviously pretty nasty conditions out there.”
It is unclear if the start of the race will be delayed due to the poor weather conditions but either way it looks destined to begin behind the safety car.
Perez was due to start the race seventh. Ahead of this weekend, Red Bull announced Perez had been retained for a second season with the team in 2022.
