Sergio Perez says he had to drive “on the full limit” for almost every lap of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to keep the McLarens behind him.
The Racing Point driver, who qualified fifth for the race, said he was even more proud of his sixth-place finish in the race ahead of Carlos Sainz Jnr and Lando Norris.“I think today was even better given the pace I had in the first stint and how my race was throughout,” he said. “I was on the limit for the whole race apart from the last two laps.
“It was a very demanding race. No mistakes, no lock-ups. It was the only way to keep the McLarens behind, they were a lot faster than us.”
Perez briefly ran fourth at the start but quickly realised he wouldn’t be able to keep Max Verstappen’s Red Bull behind him.
“It was looking good after lap one, I was ahead of Verstappen, I overtook him at the start. But then very early on we realised it was not our race and I was more concerned about the McLarens because they were very strong all the way through.”
Racing Point achieved their first two-car points finish of the season as Lance Stroll finished behind the two McLarens in ninth.
“I’m very pleased with Lance scoring good points,” said Perez. “With everyone around us, the other teams – apart from McLaren – they struggled to get good points, it’s been a good race for the team.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2019 F1 season
- Crying in the Melbourne car park at 2019 grand prix was my career low – Ocon
- McLaren Racing reports reduced £71 million loss in 2019
- Kvyat: Hockenheim podium last year was “my biggest achievement” so far
- How the FIA’s new encrypted fuel flow meter targets Ferrari’s suspected ‘aliasing’ trick
- “He smashed my office door”: 23 must-see moments from ‘Drive to Survive’ season two
Maho Ivan (@mahoivan)
28th April 2019, 18:03
It has been only four races but if Stroll had some credibility, he has lost it very fast.
Maximilian (@maximilian)
28th April 2019, 18:05
Can you imagine getting fired by your dad?
anon
28th April 2019, 18:07
@mahoivan, to be fair, Stroll did manage to make it up into the points himself in this race.
Maho Ivan (@mahoivan)
28th April 2019, 18:15
Yes, it is fair and maybe I misspoke. What I meant to say is that Perez and Stroll are in a very different level.
Basil (@flyingbasil)
28th April 2019, 19:04
@mahoivan actually its the same story with stroll again – he is painfully slow in qualy but very good in the race, his race pace was very good, especially considering he had to fight cars in front and put more stress on his tires unlike his teammate who had nobody in front.
ruliemaulana (@ruliemaulana)
28th April 2019, 18:34
Lance was the first to score for RP when the car is no where near Hass, McLaren, Toro Rosso or Alfa Romeo. Yes, he never manage to get to Q1, but he had score twice. It just Perez that punched far above his weight.
Nitzo (@webtel)
29th April 2019, 8:23
Very true. He has been phenomenal in Baku.
@ruliemaulana
LMB-F1 (@luis)
28th April 2019, 18:08
Perez did a very good race, very consistent, as always, taking care of his tires for the fights of the last few laps of the race.
Very good for Checo and for Racing Point, that is a very good team that deserves more, always making great efforts to deliver the best.
Good for Perez, good for Racing Point.
José Lopes da Silva
28th April 2019, 19:56
A great result for Formula One sport credibility, otherwise billionaires around the world will continue buying teams for his kids, like Mazepin is already threatening.
joac21 (@joac21)
28th April 2019, 20:43
Always keeping the eyes in the prize. Punching above his weight… Even ricciarrdo has said how strong Perez really is.
Abel Archundia (@aquataz68)
28th April 2019, 21:50
Looking at the lap by lap data, amazing how precise and solid Checo’s drive was.
We know he digs this circuit but the 40 odd laps with the McL behind. what a memorable race from him.
Plus I loved the start vs. Verstappen.
LEcarrera4s
30th April 2019, 2:21
Where can i see that data?