Sergio Perez did not understand what was going on, says Helmut Marko

Helmut Marko has said Sergio Perez was unaware of the wider context when it came to the team’s decisions during the Spanish Grand Prix.

There were two points of frustration for Perez during the race in Barcelona. The first came early on when a DRS-less Max Verstappen was unable to overtake George Russell but was not told to move aside for a quicker Perez.

The second was when the reverse happened, but this time the Mexican was told to let the reigning World Champion pass.

After the race, Perez said he was happy for the team but “we need to speak later”, but the Mexican has now been told by Helmut Marko that he did not have the full picture.

“It’s the same story as with Max [in regards to his frustration with his DRS issue],” Marko told the Dutch editor of motorsport.com. “He [Perez] didn’t understand what was going on. But we were on two different strategies: Max was on a three-stopper and Checo on a two-stopper.

“He would never have made it on those tyres because Max was so much faster. So it was in the team’s interest to play it that way. Not only because Max could take the lead in the World Championship, but also to secure the one-two.”

It was a decision also defended by Christian Horner who said it was “absolutely the right thing to do.”

“I think the problem that we had we could see as I think other cars, we got temperatures raging, you know, water, oil, brakes,” Horner told Sky F1.

“And the last thing you want to risk is you know, DNF when you have got two cars that can potentially now one-two, and they were on different strategies, so it wasn’t a straight fight – Max had such a tyre advantage.

“And of course Checo’s tyres wouldn’t have made it you know, we don’t think to the end. So that’s why you know, he pitted towards the end of the race to get that valuable, fastest lap as well.

“Our responsibility is to bring the cars home with as many points as we can. And of course, what Checo couldn’t see at the…