Second in Jeddah, Sergio Pérez accepts his mistake in the pits against Fernando Alonso

Winner without the shadow of a challenge in 2023, Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) had to settle for second place at the Grand Prix d'Saudi Arabia this Saturday, March 9. The Mexican was notably targeted by the Race Direction marshals for a dangerous exit from the pits at the start of the 8th lap.

Indeed, the Red Bull had been released under the nose of Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), who had to slow down to avoid the car in the pit lane. The five-second penalty added at the end of the race did not relegate the vice-world champion behind Charles Leclerc (Ferrari, 3th).

Asked about this incident after the Grand Prix, Sergio Pérez took full responsibility. “I was less than three seconds behind Max at the start of the race, and I think the degradation on this relay promised to be quite good. But unfortunately we had to deal with a safety car very early on, which meant everyone had to pit.

When I came out of the Red Bull pit, it was actually my mistake because the team told me to stay put, but I looked to the right and there was no one there when I I looked. Looking back, I think the penalty was correct. »

Sergio Pérez learned a good lesson from this: next time, he will listen to the radio more in his headphones. “You are able to have some awareness of what is happening around you. Sometimes the team can be a little slower than you in the car, but this time it was the other way around. It's my fault, but fortunately it didn't change our race. »

In the championship, Sergio Pérez is 2nd and has 36 points, compared to 51 for his leader, Max Verstappen, after two Grand Prix contested.

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