Perez could only man𒅌age fifth in qualifying at the Red Bull Ring, while teammate Max Verstappen claimed back-to-back pole positions for the first time in his career.

However, the Mexican will start the race from fourth, moving up a place due to Valtteri Bottas’ three-place grid penalty after his spin in the pit lane during Friday pra𒁃ctice.

After struggling for pace in the early part of qualifying, P✤erez got more comfortabl🌱e as the session progressed.

“We were so far away from that in Q1,” Perez told Sky Sports F1. “We had to use a second set [of soft tyres], the ඣcar was pretty much nowhere and we had to do some balance adjustments so we lost a set. In my Q3 lap, on used tyres, it was looking pretty good and when we went on the new tyres, it was a 🌌very complicated lap.

“The tyres were too cold in the beginning. I lost quite a bit into Turn 1, otherwise, P2 was possible with the small margins we had today, definitely, P2 was possible but we didn’t p🤪ut it together where we could. The race is long tomorrow and there’s plenty to play for tomorrow in the race.”

Unlike his teamma﷽te and the Mercedes duo, Perez will be forc♛ed to start on the red-marked soft tyre.

Perez believes startin🥀g on the soft is the best strategy as he goes𝄹 in search of his third consecutive podium.

“It was never on the agenda for us [starting o💧n the mediums],” Perez added. “We were clear that we wanted to go through on the softs. We believe that is the fastest strategy for tomorrow. There’s a lot to playꦡ for still.

"The aim is to clear Lando as soon as possible. To make sure we are in the race with th🃏e leaders soon enough. So that's the main target and make the most out of our strategy, so I'll be as aggressive as needed to just get my t🍬rack position where I need to be."