A phenomenal set of circumstances–and keen driving by Perez and Stroll–make Sunday a day to remember for Racing Point.
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN—Sunday, December 6th—If you consider what Sergio Perez has been through over the past few weeks, you’d easily conclude that none of it represented a stepping-stone to climbing the podium as a Formula 1 race winner. Consider this. Perez contracted COVID-19, lost a chance to finish third last week when his car suffered a power unit failure near the race’s end, and got hit by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc early in Sunday’s Sakhir Grand Prix.
But thanks to the Mercedes team’s pit error late in the race, the Mexican, who does not have a racing assignment in Formula 1 next season, went on to take the first win of his 10-year career. What’s more, Perez is the first Mexican citizen in a half-century to win on the circuit (Pedro Rodriguez, 1970).
Sunday’s podium appearance for Perez wasn’t the only first. By finishing second, Renault’s Esteban Ocon climbed the podium for the very first time. Perez’s teammate, Lance Stroll, finished third, making it the second podium appearance of the season, and the first time two RP drivers ended up in the top three.
As for the other finishers, McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr. edged out Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo for fourth, while Red Bull’s Alexander Albon and Alpha Tauri’s Dani Kvyat finished sixth and seventh, respectively. The last point went to the second McLaren of Lando Norris in tenth.
Sergio Perez: This season, the luck hasn’t been with us. I think we won it on merit. The end pace was strong enough to hold George (Russell), who had a fantastic race today.
In truth, Russell probably doesn’t see it that way. Russell, who was Lewis Hamilton’s substitute at Mercedes (COVID-related), held the lead for 46 of the 87 laps–going as far as lapping all the field up to 12th place before pitting–and giving the lead to his teammate, Valtteri Bottas.
But on lap 62, things came undone. Williams’ substitute Jack Aiken spun on the final corner, losing his front wing, which was enough to issue the second virtual safety car period, which quickly changed to the second full safety car session. Bottas, taking advantage of an opportunity, dived into the pits for fresher tires, but found out later that one of his tires was meant for Russell.
Russell came in earlier than Bottas and had encountered the same problem. The mistake resulted in each driver having to pit again to secure the correct tire. But double-stacking tires likely costing Russell the win and Bottas a podium spot. In the end, Bottas finished eighth with Russell ninth.
The error gave Perez the lead shortly after the Mexican had moved up the field following an incident on the opening lap with Leclerc and Max Verstappen. Perez came around the left of the Ferrari driver, and Leclerc ended up striking him lightly on his right side. Perez spun around, recovered, but was now in 18th place. Leclerc sustained left front tire damage and retired from the race.
Meanwhile, Verstappen didn’t have damage from the two. But he then tried to swing around to the left side, was too fast for the maneuver, and ended up running into the barriers.
After he crossed the finish line, Perez could not believe what had happened. “I am speechless,” an emotional Perez proclaimed. “I hope I am not dreaming because I dream for so many years being in this moment. 10 years it took me. I don’t know what to say. After the first lap, it was all about not giving up. What happens is not so much in my hands. I want to keep going. If I am not on the grid next year, I will be back in 2022.”
One race is left in the 2020 season. Drivers and teams will finish an unforgettable year next weekend at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi.
