<p> Red Bull's title contender Sergio Perez crashed and qualified last on Saturday for the showcase Monaco Formula One Grand Prix he won a year ago.</p>.<p>The first corner smash brought out red flags to halt the action with just over 11 minutes remaining of the opening session.</p>.<p>The impact punched a hole in the side of the car and left debris scattered on the track.</p>.<p>The session restarted once the Red Bull car had been winched away and Perez's time left him bottom of the timesheets, leaving the Mexican with either a back of the grid slot on Sunday or a start from the pitlane.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/formula-1/gender-equality-inevitable-in-f1-says-red-bull-chief-horner-1205277.html" target="_blank">Gender equality inevitable in F1, says Red Bull chief Horner</a></strong></p>.<p>Red Bull have won all five races so far this season, four of them with one-two finishes.</p>.<p>Double world champion Max Verstappen, the 2021 winner in Monaco and fastest in the first phase of qualifying, leads Perez by 14 points.</p>.<p>The qualifying round in the Mediterranean principality is crucial, perhaps the most important of the season, as overtaking is extremely difficult on the tight and twisty streets.</p>.<p>Monaco was also a race that Perez had high hopes of winning, with most of the Mexican's previous victories secured on street circuits.</p>
<p> Red Bull's title contender Sergio Perez crashed and qualified last on Saturday for the showcase Monaco Formula One Grand Prix he won a year ago.</p>.<p>The first corner smash brought out red flags to halt the action with just over 11 minutes remaining of the opening session.</p>.<p>The impact punched a hole in the side of the car and left debris scattered on the track.</p>.<p>The session restarted once the Red Bull car had been winched away and Perez's time left him bottom of the timesheets, leaving the Mexican with either a back of the grid slot on Sunday or a start from the pitlane.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/formula-1/gender-equality-inevitable-in-f1-says-red-bull-chief-horner-1205277.html" target="_blank">Gender equality inevitable in F1, says Red Bull chief Horner</a></strong></p>.<p>Red Bull have won all five races so far this season, four of them with one-two finishes.</p>.<p>Double world champion Max Verstappen, the 2021 winner in Monaco and fastest in the first phase of qualifying, leads Perez by 14 points.</p>.<p>The qualifying round in the Mediterranean principality is crucial, perhaps the most important of the season, as overtaking is extremely difficult on the tight and twisty streets.</p>.<p>Monaco was also a race that Perez had high hopes of winning, with most of the Mexican's previous victories secured on street circuits.</p>