Jolyon Palmer believes Sergio Perez’s late yield of third place to Carlos Sainz in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was tactical.

It was a day of misfortune for Perez having initially earned pole position and looking to be cruising to a third win of his F1 career before an ill-timed pit-stop scuppered his chances.

Charles Leclerc and Ferrari appeared to bluff Perez and Red Bull perfectly after stating they would ‘pit’, only to stay out. Perez, meanwhile, did stop but was given no chance to gain advantage from his fresh tyres after a crash from Nicholas Latifi brought out the Safety Car.