Perez seeking rhythm after claiming Red Bull took wrong set-up direction

Sergio Perez insisted finishing a lowly 12th quickest in practice for the French Grand Prix was unrepresentative after a session of issues at Paul Ricard.

The Mexican was blocked by a Haas on his qualifying simulation and questioned the direction of some of the set-up choices made by Red Bull on F1's return to the south of France.

Team-mate Max Verstappen topped the session just over a second faster but Perez was unconcerned by his situation on the day.

"I think I got a bit of a block, some traffic in front," said Perez when asked for the reasons behind his lowly position.

"Some changes, we probably took the wrong direction with them. I don't think we are as bad.

"Max had a good day on pace. I think we are looking there and I think tomorrow, hopefully, we are able to find a lot of pace overnight, understand a bit some of the issues and we should be there.

"If we are able to find the rhythm overnight then we should be able to get some good lap time."

Perez carrying Baku momentum

Last time out in Azerbaijan, Perez broke the Red Bull second driver curse with victory.

Asked if his feeling in the car has been boosted by the result, the 31-year-old replied: "Yes, we are at a very different track but we are keeping that momentum.

"I think the understanding of the car is getting better and a lot of positives still from this session."

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes Perez is still riding the crest of a wave following his win in Baku.

"Sergio has felt his way into the team, he's done a good job, his race performances have been getting stronger and stronger," said Horner.

"The victory in Baku was great for him, and his confidence is high. He's walking tall at the moment."

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