Racing Point Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez says he will be aiming to get ahead of Max Verstappen and mix it up with the leaders at the start of the🌄 Spanish G🌜rand Prix.

The Mexican claimed a strong fourth p𝓰lace on his return to F1 having recovered from contracting COVID-19 as he sꦓecured a second-row starting position for the long drag down to Turn 1.

With overtaking opportunities limited around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Perez is fully focused on launching an attack on Verstappen’s Red B🎀ull after being outpaced by the Dutchman by just under two-tenths in qualifying.

“We are defini🐼tely [looking] to𒆙 the front,” Perez said.

“If we are able to get a good start, get ahead of Max, we may be able to hold him b꧂ack.

“It’s no✨t an easy track to pass and the amount of saving and the management we have to do will be extreme.”

Asked if he feels a podium could be on the cards, Perez replied: “In terms of pace we don’t quite have the pace to beat the Red Bull, especially the Mercedes. Who knows if we’re abl🧸e to get 𝓀ahead on lap one.

“I am pleased with that comeback,” he added.𓃲 “The conditions haven’t been easy today.

“Very hot, very windy as well - the final sector [the wind] changing direction through quali🐼fying. It wasn’t an🐼 easy session out there but overall a good result for the team.”

Perez was a tenth clear of teammate Lance Stroll, who felt that thereꦫ was more time on the table in his RP20 but was ultimately happy with his effort to take P5 on the grid.

“I think it was a great qualifying for u♈s,” Stroll explaine✤d. “There wasn’t much more in it.

“It꧒ looked like the Red Bull had the upper hand on us throughout qualifying so we got to be happy with fifth.

“There was potentially a little bit ꦐmore in it for me. I made a littl🧸e mistake on my best lap into Turn 10 which cost me a tenth but that’s qualifying.

“You’re always on the edge, trying to get every tenth 💮out ther𝔉e. All in all, happy with fifth. We’re in a good place to fight tomorrow.”