Force India malfunction leaves Perez petrified as his car flips over

SERGIO PEREZ has revealed he was “scared” following his dramatic crash during practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Perez was left a passenger in his Force India after he suffered a right-rear suspension failure on the exit of turn 11.

He slid helplessly across the track before crashing into the barriers and then being launched into the air. His Force India landed on its roof, but Perez was able to clamber out of the cockpit and was swiftly given the all-clear by the FIA medical team.

The Mexican’s crash was a stark reminder of the inherent dangers involved in Formula One, and came only days after the funeral of Jules Bianchi who tragically succumbed to the brain injuries he sustained at the Japanese Grand Prix.

“The impact was not that bad but then I rolled over and I got a bit scared,” Perez said. “It was quite a dramatic accident. Getting out of the car was quite a challenge in that position, but thank God nothing happened and I’m here for tomorrow.”

Force India withdrew both of their cars from Friday’s second practice session as they tried to uncover the reasons behind the Perez incident.In the searing Budapest heat it was Lewis Hamilton, a winner last time out at the British Grand Prix, who maintained his sizzling form.

The 30-year-old topped the timesheets in both sessions and he ended the day seven tenths of a second faster than his Mercedes team-mate.

“It was really good fun out there today and I’m starting to think this might be my favourite track,” said Hamilton, who is bidding for a record fifth win in Hungary on Sunday.

“It’s so fun to drive with the combination of corners and undulations. The way it all flows together just feels old school.”

A heatwave is rippling through central Europe which saw temperatures in Budapest reach 35 degrees C on Friday. On an encouraging day for Red Bull, Daniil Kvyat was second fastest, 0.351secs slower than Hamilton with Daniel Ricciardo a further tenth back.

Their strong display was dampened however when Ricciardo suffered a Renault engine failure.

There was encouragement for McLaren too, as Fernando Alonso followed up a reasonable showing in the opening session to end the afternoon in eighth, 1.8secs down on Hamilton’s fastest lap. Jenson Button was 12th, two tenths adrift of his Spanish team-mate.