A “speechless” Sergio Perez thought his race was gone after Lap 1 before claiming a remarkable first Formula 1 win at the Sakhir Grand Prix.
Starting fifth, the Mexican was challenging for second into Turn 4 before being taken out by Charles Leclerc and dropping to 18th following the subsequent pit-stop for new tyres.
From there, however, the Racing Point driver produced a remarkable recovery through the field and after Mercedes’ pit-stop nightmare followed by George Russell’s late puncture, the path was clear for Perez to finally end his 190-race wait for victory.
“I am a bit speechless. I hope I am not dreaming because I dream so many years being in this moment. 10 years, 10 years it took me. Incredible. I don’t know what to say,” he said post-race.
“After the first lap, the race was again gone, same as last weekend. But it was all about not giving up, recovering, going for it, just making the best we possibly could.
“The season, the luck hasn’t been with us this year but we finally got it. I think we won today on merit, the Mercs had some issues but in the end my pace was strong enough to hold George, who did a fantastic race today.”
Perez’s recovery through the field after Lap 1 was made more impressive when the 30-year-old revealed: “I made a big mistake during the safety car, I locked up my front left tyre badly.
“So during my first stint, I had so much vibration but as soon as I recovered in the second stint, I told my team this car felt just like a limousine, so easy without the vibrations.
“We had tremendous pace, and then I think we read really well the race throughout the weekend. We came here thinking it was going to be a two-stop, but after my long run on Friday, we knew what we had to do today.”
Of course, this win comes as Perez is still without a seat for next year.
“It just gives me a bit more peace with myself,” he said on the prospect of leaving F1 after this weekend.
“What happens is not so much in my hands at the moment, but I know and I want to keep going. So, if I am not on the grid next year I will be back in 2022.”