RB's Perez cops three-place grid penalty for Spanish GP

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez has copped a three-place grid penalty for the Spanish grand prix as sanction for returning to the pits with a "significantly damaged car" during the Canadian Grand Prix.

Perez capped a nightmare weekend in Montreal with a retirement in lap 53 after a crash.

He suffered heavy damage to the front and rear wings on one side. He managed to limp back to the pit lane but lost several carbon fibre parts on the way back, which was deemed dangerous by the stewards.

Red Bull confirmed to the stewards they advised Perez to return to the pits to avoid a safety car, which could potentially get in the way of Max Verstappen's leading position.

The Dutchman went on to win the race - after he took the lead from Lando Norris of McLaren during an earlier safety car phase.

Red Bull were fined 25,000 euros ($A40,000) over the incident.

The Spanish GP is on June 23.