Sergio Perez Hit with Pit-Lane Start for Dutch GP After Cadillac Setup Changes

Following qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix, Cadillac made changes to the setup of Sergio Pérez’s car. To carry out the adjustments, the team’s mechanics had to work on the car after parc fermé conditions had come into effect, under which changes to the car’s configuration are strictly restricted by the regulations.As a result of breaching the parc ferme regulations, Pérez has been handed a mandatory penalty and will start Sunday’s race from the pit lane rather than from the grid position he secured in qualifying.For Cadillac, however, the penalty is unlikely to have a significant impact on Pérez’s starting position. The Mexican driver endured a difficult qualifying session and finished 22nd, leaving him at the very back of the order. Consequently, starting from the pit lane represents only a limited additional disadvantage.Perez’s main objective will now be to recover positions during the race. Although starting from the pit lane means he will not be able to compete for positions on the starting grid, the setup changes made by Cadillac are intended to provide the car with a more suitable balance and stronger race pace.As a result, Pérez will begin Sunday’s race at Zandvoort from an unusual position, while Cadillac will now have to determine whether the decision to make changes after qualifying ultimately delivers the desired improvement in race performance.