Checo Pérez celebrates his second victory in Formula 1 on the podium MAXIM SHEMETOV / AP
Checo Pérez (Guadalajara, 31 years old) already had a good day with Red Bull. The Mexican won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this Sunday after a rough race. The Mexican's car, however, had played the team badly at the key moment. On the relaunch, after Max Verstappen fell due to a damaged tire, Pérez's car was not quite right and they had two fast laps left to try to keep the top despite being harassed by Lewis Hamilton. The Briton was aggressive and that was his sin. The Mercedes ended up off the track by not braking in time. Checo, despite the bad start, was able to win the position and the race. "It is without a doubt a strong injection of confidence both for me and for the team," summarized Checo Pérez.
“We were about to retire the car, but luckily we managed to finish the race.
And it was really quite difficult [to get] to the end, ”Pérez said at the end of the race.
“I am very sorry for Max because he had a tremendous race and he deserved that victory.
It would have been amazing to get that 1-2 [on the podium] for the team.
But in the end it is a fantastic day for us, ”he added.
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Checo Pérez shines and wins the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
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The Mexican started in sixth position. In qualifying he had done well until he reached Q3. At that point, the Red Bull cars waited last for a fast lap, but Alpha Tauri's Tsunoda hit the wall and Carlos Sainz Jr. skidded off the track. The mishaps ended qualifying and relegated the Mexican to seventh. A penalty for Lando Norris allowed him to move up one spot.
In Sunday's race, Pérez had a good start that allowed him to climb positions to fourth position and then take the podium positions. The resistance of the Latin American was worth to him to keep at bay Lewis Hamilton, with a worse performance. Verstappen's accident opened the possibility for Hamilton to overtake the Mexican in the relaunch. “I braked as late as possible and he did the same. It didn't work out for him, ”Checo said in reference to that latest showdown with Hamilton. The Briton finished in fifteenth position and his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, in twelfth. “Sergio has been fast all weekend. His pace was impressive in the race, ”said Red Bull boss Christian Horner.
“Congratulations, Merry Christmas or whatever Checo says.
I'm happy for him, another victory, "said an excited Vettel, second in Baku.
“The victory is a great weight, I have gained confidence with the car and I am doing my best.
It's a good result for the team.
The season is long, anything can happen, ”Pérez told Formula 1 TV.
“Checo was in the race, I'm very happy for him.
Normally it should be 1-2.
Seeing him win the race was very good, "said Verstappen.
Checo Pérez achieved his second victory in Formula 1. The first occurred last year in the biggest comeback and victory of all: starting from last place to first in Sakhir.
Thus he tied Mexican legend Pedro Rodríguez, winner in 1967 with Cooper and in 1970 with British Racing Motors.
In Checo Pérez's first race with Red Bull he left the basement of the classification to stay in fifth place, in one of his great comebacks.
At Imola he had his worst performance, finishing twelfth for his mistakes on the track.
In Portugal it was fourth and in Spain it was in fifth place.
In the winding circuit of Monaco, the boy supported by the tycoon Slim finished fourth.
In the drivers' standings, Pérez is already third, only behind Hamilton and Verstappen.
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