Photo: Peter Fox/Getty Images
The new season of Formula 1 2023 began as the last one ended, with Max Verstappen leading, Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez being important in the 1-2 of the Red Bull team and competing hard against Charles Leclerc. This Sunday the Mexican achieved the first podium of the campaign by finishing second in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The race became exciting from the first bars, as Pérez had to defend the attacks of Lecrec, who overtook him in the first corner. The Aztec driver remained behind for a large part of the circuit and after the first round of pit stops, the Monegasque driver was three seconds ahead of him.
For his part, Verstappen led comfortably with a 10-second advantage over Charles. It wasn’t until turn 26 when ‘Checo’ was able to overtake his rival and regain second place. Everything seemed under control with Red Bull’s 1-2 and Ferrari’s third and fourth place with Leclerc and Sainz. The fight looked like it would be for fifth place between Hamilton and Alonso.
However, on lap 41 everything took an unexpected turn as Leclerc had to retire after problems with the car and a Virtual Safety Car period, which caused Sainz to move up to third followed by Alonso and Hamilton.
Max Verstappen got his first victory of the season, followed by ‘Checo’ Pérez, Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton. With this third place, the Spaniard gets his first podium with Aston Martin and the 99th of his career.
One of the bad streaks of the driver from Guadalajara was never having started the F1 season with a podium. Something that he was able to break this Sunday and about which he spoke after the race in the interview at the foot of the track.
“Considering how we started last year, it’s a good comeback. We have worked very hard in the winter. Something important today, finishing with both cars (…) was about minimizing the damage, finishing second was the most I could hope for today and it’s a long season. I think I’m getting closer (to Max Verstappen) in every session,” he expressed.
It may interest you:
·Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez left a good taste in the mouth in the practices prior to the Bahrain GP
·Sergio ´Checo´ Pérez is not enlarged after setting the best time in preseason: “Next week we will know where we really are”
·Sergio “Checo” Pérez wants to be champion: “The goal in 2023 is to take two leaps”
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