Perez, whose position at Red Bull has been in increasing doubt after a poor season, tried going around the outside of Leclerc at Turn 1. With team-mate Max Verstappen on the inside, there wasn’t enough room for all three cars.

And Perez collided with the Ferrari as a result, being sent skywards before spinning out in front of the gutted crowd. He managed to make it back to the pits but was unable to continue.

After his car was retired he looked close to tears in the cockpit. Leclerc, meanwhile, was cleared of any wrongdoing having been sandwiched.

The pole sitter had a poor start off the line, which allowed Verstappen to slice between him and Carlos Sainz from third on the grid and gain control.

Perez crashed out while Max Verstappen cruised into first (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Perez, who’d qualified fifth, also looked to take advantage of their superior traction over the Ferraris. But he turned in too hard on Leclerc and paid the costly price.

Verstappen, who secured his fourth consecutive world championship earlier this month, claimed first place while Leclerc took to the grass.

Leclerc was able to continue but Perez ultimately retired in the pits (Image: AP)

It’s yet another frustrating race weekend for Perez. He’s struggled to keep pace with Verstappen since claiming two victories early on in 2023.

That’s raised question marks about his future, despite being under contract for another year. Daniel Ricciardo has been linked as a replacement having impressed for AlphaTauri on his return to the grid.