Perez’s first F1 victory is one to remember
As Mercedes team blunders, Mexican driver seizes the opportunity
SAKHIR, BAHRAIN— Sergio Perez stayed calm amid the chaos at a remarkable Sakhir Grand Prix to clinch his first Formula One career win Sunday in his 190th race.
The Racing Point driver finished 10.5 seconds ahead of Renault’s Esteban Ocon, and 11.9 clear of teammate and Montreal native Lance Stroll.
“I’m speechless,” Perez said. “I hope I’m not dreaming.”
The Mexican does not even have an F1 seat next year after being replaced by Sebastian Vettel.
“I want to keep going,” Perez said. “If I’m not on the grid next year, I will be in 2022.”
George Russell looked like he would cap a remarkable Mercedes debut with a confident win until his team made a terrible blunder after bringing him and Valtteri Bottas in for another change when the safety car was out on track with about 25 laps to go.
Russell’s stop was a bit slow but nothing compared to the one for Bottas, which took an agonizing 27 seconds as the mechanics could not fit his left front tire properly.
Remarkably, Russell was then called in again because the team had fitted him with tires belonging to Bottas.
It was a rare failure for a Mercedes team that has dominated F1 since 2014 by winning every drivers’ and constructors’ championship.
Still, even with that mishap, Russell roared back brilliantly from fifth to second place and was closing on Perez when his rear tire punctured with eight laps remaining.
Perez, above all, will remember the race.
“I dream for so many years being in this moment. Ten years it took me,” Perez said after his win. “I said to the team the car feels like a limousine.”