Sergio Perez's elimination in SQ1 at the Qatar Grand Prix came down to a crucial battle with Charles Leclerc during his final qualifying lap. The Red Bull driver missed the cut by just 0.013 seconds, ending his Sprint qualifying hopes prematurely.

The Mexican driver identified two key factors behind his early exit: a delayed start due to anti-roll bar issues and the time-costly fight with Leclerc into Turn 1. These complications cost him vital tenths of a second, proving decisive in his elimination.

Starting 16th in a Sprint race without pit stops, Perez acknowledges the slim chances of scoring points, with only the top eight finishers eligible for points. His focus has shifted to the remainder of the weekend's events.

Meanwhile, teammate and world champion Max Verstappen also struggled, qualifying sixth for the Sprint. The Dutch driver cited poor car balance and lack of pace as major concerns, particularly in entry to mid-corner sections. While performing adequately in high-speed sections, overall performance fell short of expectations.

Verstappen remains realistic about his prospects, expecting challenges in battling nearby competitors during the Sprint race. He expressed doubt about significant improvements for the main qualifying session, acknowledging that the current performance issues likely won't resolve quickly.

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