Perez to miss Monaco race after qualifying accident - updated 29 May 2011
Sauber’s Sergio Perez will not race in Sunday’s Monaco event following his high-speed qualifying crash in Monte Carlo, the team have confirmed. Perez, who avoided serious injury, remains under observation in the nearby Princess Grace Hospital and after a 'good night' is now expected to be discharged on Monday after a further precautionary scan.
“After Sergio Perez‘s heavy accident in the final minutes of qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, of course, the relief that the 21-year-old Mexican didn’t suffer any serious injuries is the overriding emotion inside the Sauber F1 Team,” said a team statement.
“He was taken to hospital in Monaco where he underwent an extensive examination. The medical staff informed the Sauber F1 Team that he escaped the shunt with concussion and a bruised thigh. Perez will remain in hospital at least overnight and will definitely not start the race on Sunday.”
With Perez continuing to recover in hospital, the team have launched an investigation into what prompted the accident. Early indications suggest a technical failure was not to blame.
“First and foremost we are obviously relieved with the reports that Sergio is okay,” explained technical director James Key. “It’s always very worrying for a team when you see an accident of that magnitude, so it’s good to hear that he is fundamentally okay.
"We are looking into what happened. There is no indication at the moment from the data we have seen that there was a problem with the car. But we have to talk to Sergio to investigate further what happened.”
With Perez missing the race, Sauber will field just one driver - Perez’s team mate Kamui Kobayashi, who qualified in 13th.
