Danica Patrick says ‘it’s time’ for three-pole driver to retire after what she saw at Las Vegas Grand Prix

Qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix saw some striking deficits between teammates. Most notably, George Russell took pole position while teammate Lewis Hamilton was only 10th.

While Russell was dominant in Q3, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was arguably the star of qualifying. Gasly, who finished on the podium at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix last time out, snatched a season-high third place.

In that context, his departing teammate Esteban Ocon will be bitterly disappointed with 11th place. He may have a Red Bull in his mirrors in Saturday’s race after Sergio Perez qualified down in 16th.

Max Verstappen, who can seal the world championship this weekend, will feel he extracted the most out of his car in fifth. The 11-place gap between the two will intensify questions over Perez’s future.

It’s advantage McLaren and, above all, Ferrari in the constructors’ championship. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were second and fourth respectively, while Yuki Tsunoda split the two McLarens in sixth and eighth.

Liam Lawson managed to outqualify Perez as he aims to take his Red Bull seat. But he was utterly outshone by RB teammate Tsunoda in the end.

Danica Patrick says she would retire if she were Sergio Perez

Speaking on Sky Sports F1 after the session, pundit Danica Patrick urged Perez to retire from F1. She feels he’s damaging his reputation with every race at the moment.

Days like this should, she says, make him realise that it’s time to walk away. Perez can still be satisfied with what he’s achieved during his career.

He’s one of the most experienced drivers in F1 history with 278 race starts to his name. He’s also won six Grands Prix, taken three pole positions and amassed 39 podiums.

“I don’t know,” Patrick said. “He’s done so many great things, won so many races. I think that, if it were me, I wouldn’t want to look like that anymore. I’d just say ‘it’s time’.”

Sergio Perez will be embarrassed by Las Vegas Grand Prix Sphere reaction to Q1 exit

Red Bull bonuses could take a huge hit if they finish third in the constructors’. And that looks more likely than ever after Friday’s qualifying.

Martin Brundle says Perez’s early exit is ‘bad news’ for Red Bull, though they could still be celebrating if Verstappen can stay ahead of Lando Norris. While that would dominate headlines, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko are bound to face another barrage of questions over their second driver’s future.

Perez gave ‘himself the thumbs down’ on the Las Vegas Sphere after his latest setback. All 20 drivers pre-recorded a set of reactions.

That viral moment will only add to his embarrassment. It’s the ninth time this year he’s failed to reach Q3, something Verstappen has only done once.