Belgian GP: Red Bull's Sergio Perez crashes out on his way to the grid

Perez lost control on his way to the starting grid on a soaked and slippery track and skidded into the barriers at Les Combes. He climbed out after failing to get going again.

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico gets out of his car after crashing on his way to the grid during the Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack in Spa, Belgium.

Red Bull suffered another blow to its Formula One constructors' championship challenge when Mexican Sergio Perez crashed out of the Belgian Grand Prix before the start on Sunday.

Perez lost control on his way to the starting grid on a soaked and slippery track and skidded into the barriers at Les Combes. He climbed out after failing to get going again.

"The right front suspension damage is too extreme for us to continue," Red Bull's sporting director Jonathan Wheatley told race director Michael Masi.

 

The race start at Spa-Francorchamps was delayed due to the weather.

Perez, whose contract extension for 2022 was announced on Friday, had qualified seventh with teammate Max Verstappen on pole position.

Red Bull is 12 points behind leader and reigning champion Mercedes in the standings.

"Very disappointing not to be able to take a start -- just shows how tricky conditions are out there," Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Sky Sports television.

"He reported he couldn’t really see anything, and unfortunately,  the car just got away from him. It’s a great shame for Checo and the team not to be starting the race."