Sergio Perez described his final laps as the best of his career to claim a podium finish at the Azerbaijan GP on Sunday.
The Mexican would overcome being biffed in the rear into Turn 2 at the start and a five-second penalty for overtaking before the first Safety Car line at the restart before taking advantage of Sebastian Vettel struggling with a flat-spotted tyre to pass into Turn 1 with three laps to go.
From then it was about holding on to the end and the Force India driver would do so to take his second third-place finish in Baku in three years.
“I think today I did the best laps of my whole career,” he said. “The last two laps with Sebastian Vettel were so difficult.
“I was on the Supersoft tyres and had to keep a strong rhythm behind [Kimi] Raikkonen to make sure Sebastian couldn’t get close enough.
“In the end we did it. I’m speechless.”
The drama continued after the race with Perez investigated for two possible illegal uses of DRS, however, the stewards did not decide to punish.
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His wild celebrations were in contrast to the emotions across the garage though as Esteban Ocon was taken out by Raikkonen on the first lap, having gotten ahead of the Ferrari at Turn 2.
“I was ahead of him on the straight. I was completely ahead, he was behind,” the angry Frenchman told Canal+.
“I don’t know what he did, he released the brakes and hit me.
“It’s clearly a missed opportunity after a great start to the weekend. I think [Sergio] Perez is going to score a lot of points, it’s good for the team.”
The stewards deemed their collision at Turn 3 a racing incident, with many feeling Ocon should have left the Finn more space on the inside.
