Sergio Pérez: “The tires couldn’t have lasted one more lap”

He was already a master at managing his tires and his bike to score big points via offbeat strategies. Yesterday, on the ice rinkIstanbul Park in Türkiye, Sergio Pérez once again demonstrated rare mastery to finish second behind the winner and 2020 world champion Lewis Hamilton, and get his first podium of the year.

Off to a good start in the wake of his teammate Lance stroll, solid leader during the first part of the race, the Mexican played a different strategy from that of the Canadian, who returned to the pits twice but who plunged in the standings when the more measured use of the tires allowed Pérez to stay at the forefront.

The end of the race, however, was not easy for the former driver. McLaren, with the return of Ferrari de Charles Leclerc et Sebastian Vettel. A time exceeded by Leclerc, Pérez did not give up in the last sequence, with an error from Leclerc giving second place back to RP20 n°11.

“We've come close to the podium several times this year, so it's great to enjoy this moment, comments Pérez after the finish. It was an exciting and difficult race until the end.

I was trying to manage the tires, push at the right time to keep the temperatures in the right window and learn the track all at the same time. It's an excellent result and we made the right choices.

When I crossed the line I told the team I didn't think the tires could have lasted another lap! They were vibrating so much. It was about staying on track and making the right choices, which we did. The key was managing the intermediates at the start and end of the second stint, it made a huge difference. »

A result which allows Pérez to move into fourth position in the Drivers' standings and to see the end of the season in a positive light for Racing Point, which has returned to 3rd in the Manufacturers' standings.

Discover the full report and analysis of the Turkish Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondent in Istanbul, in AUTO issue 2287hebdo, available this evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.