It was one other unsatisfactory Qualifying session for Sergio Perez this season after a miscalculation on his workforce’s half compelled him to begin the Las Vegas GP from P10. However, the 33-year-old was unfazed by the problem on an unfamiliar observe and blitzed previous the grid, a lot to the delight of Christian Horner.
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After a formidable restoration drive in the 50-lap race, not solely did Perez safe the last step on the podium, but in addition ensured a 1-2 end for Red Bull in the drivers’ standings. Addressing the similar, Horner was over the moon with the efficiency of the Mexican driver, as quoted in a report by RacingNews 365.
“I imply, what extra are you able to ask for out of your drivers and first and second enter in the Drivers’ World Championship? And his [Perez’s] type, his tempo was proper there once more. The final two or three races, he’s actually been discovering his type once more.”
For some time, Perez even took the lead in the race after overtaking Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, and regarded like he would be capable to defend the lead for the the rest of the race. However, a formidable push from Leclerc and Max Verstappen noticed the Guadalajara-born driver fall two locations and settle for P3.
It was an necessary race for Perez, who has been below fixed fireplace from critics, pundits, and specialists following his suboptimal outings in the center of the season. However, an outstanding drive in Sao Paulo, adopted by one other spectacular drive in Las Vegas, noticed the Mexican show his naysayers fallacious and earn the appreciation of his workforce principal.
Sergio Perez fends off the Hamilton problem, however couldn’t maintain off Leclerc
The backend of the 2023 season noticed stress being placed on Perez from all points of the sport. Much of it got here as a result of of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who was closing in on a P2 place in the drivers’ standings, hoping to knock Perez off the silver medal place. However, the Mexican rose to the event when it mattered the most and was in a position to hand Red Bull their first-ever 1-2 end in the drivers’ standings. With a niche of 41 factors, Perez has taken an unassailable lead over his British challenger.
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The hole might’ve been greater if it weren’t for some glorious driving from Charles Leclerc in the dying moments of the race. The Monegasque saved himself inside the DRS vary in opposition to Perez and pulled off a spectacular transfer to overhaul Perez at Turn 12 in the last lap of the race. Horner revealed Verstappen even dropped again just a little to assist tow Perez, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to maintain Leclerc at bay.
Perez’s future at Red Bull has been a query mark for lengthy, however the workforce has asserted that they’ll respect the Mexican’s contract. Despite the workforce being notorious for reducing driver contracts quick, their prime personnel have made it clear they’ll proceed their associations with the Mexican till the finish of the 2024 season.