The return to work for Checo Pérez has been a boost for Red Bull. The Mexican driver finished in second position at the Belgian Grand Prix, behind his teammate Max Verstappen. The Austrian team stretched its distance from Ferrari in the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. Pérez, with a couple of errors at the start, was able to recover and thus reach his 22nd podium in Formula 1. In addition, he regained second place in the World Championship, ahead of Charles Leclerc.
The Mexican had struggled in the first practices, but at the moment of truth he managed to qualify as the third fastest. He moved up one position due to a penalty his Red Bull teammate received. Pérez was nothing to start first, but Sainz was better. In the race, the driver from Guadalajara fell asleep at the start when he was passed by Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Russell. Terrible start that was compensated with a clash between the champions Alonso and Hamilton and they returned the position to the Mexican. “What an idiot! This guy only knows how to go first”, criticized the Spaniard. Nice restart of the season.
After a safety car caused by an error of the unfortunate Nicholas Latifi and what happened with the Mercedes, the pilots returned to compete on the asphalt. Checo Pérez had, again, problems to defend his position, but a fleeting fight between Russell and Alonso helped him. On laps 10 and 11, Verstappen managed to climb up to third position after starting in fourteenth place. Then Sainz had to go out to change his tires and left a partial luxury position for Red Bull: first Verstappen, then Pérez. The Mexican went into austere mode to preserve the condition of his tires as much as possible and held out until lap 15. Leclerc, who also wanted to climb positions, was closed when leaving the pits. “He did not leave space”, reproached the Monegasque.
On lap 20, Checo Pérez began to put pressure on Sainz to try to pass him. Lots of ferocity from the Red Bull driver and he made it through a lap later. The duo from the energy drink team imposed their law thanks to their engine, without underestimating the ability of their drivers. From the Red Bull garage they called the Mexican to renew the tires on lap 28. It was the way to ensure the race and what a success. There was nothing to prevent the brutal triumph of the red buffalo team: a comeback for Verstappen, a good race for Pérez. Ferrari slowed down on its own and Saiz was able to salvage third place. “I was expecting more today, but Max is out of this world”, resolved the Mexican after the race. Verstappen leads the World Cup with 284 points, followed by the Mexican’s 191 and Leclerc’s 186.
Checo Pérez places his trophy number 22 on the shelf
Sergio Pérez reached his twenty-second podium in Formula 1. He celebrates three victories: Shakhir 2020, Baku in 2021 and Monaco in 2022. In addition to nine second places (Malaysia and Italy in 2012, Turkey in 2020, Australia 2022, Imola 2022, Spain 2022 , Baku 2022, Great Britain 2022 and Belgium 2022) and 10 third places (Canada, in 2012; Bahrain, in 2014; Russia, in 2015, Monaco and Baku in 2016 and 2018, in the Grand Prix of France, Turkey, United States and Mexico City in 2021).
subscribe here to newsletter of EL PAÍS Mexico and receive all the informative keys of the news of this country
#Checo #Pérez #blow #finish #Belgian #Grand #Prix