Sergio Perez faced a challenging weekend at the F1 Austrian GP, feeling unwell and experiencing weakness throughout. The Mexican driver missed the Thursday media day to rest after falling sick the previous night. During Friday’s qualifying session, he struggled by exceeding track limits in the final two corners, resulting in the deletion of three lap times and an early exit in Q2.
However, Perez’s fortunes took a positive turn as he secured second place in the sprint race. On Sunday, he showcased his resilience by climbing from 15th position to reach the podium at the Red Bull Ring, finishing behind his teammate Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.
Perez’s achievement was aided by penalties imposed on drivers ahead, who exceeded track limits and served five-second penalties during their pitstops. Notably, Perez engaged in a fierce battle with McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in the final stint to secure third place.
Given his illness, Perez found his comeback particularly satisfying. The effects of his condition included a lack of strength, sleep deprivation, and high fevers. Reflecting on his performance, he expressed his happiness and gratitude, acknowledging the challenging physical circumstances he faced. The Mexican driver commended his team for their exceptional strategy and the impressive pace they achieved.
Perez’s podium finish put an end to a three-race streak without a podium, which he described as a rough patch. He expressed hope for a sustained return to form and the ability to maintain his current position.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen dominated the weekend, claiming victory in both the sprint race and the main race. He secured pole positions for both events and earned an additional point for setting the fastest lap. Verstappen praised his team for executing flawless stints, instilling confidence in his ability to overtake both Ferrari drivers. Leclerc’s early pitstop during a virtual safety car period allowed Verstappen to capitalize on his superior race pace and ultimately claim his 42nd career win.
Verstappen explained that their strategy involved not pitting during the virtual safety car, which proved successful due to the relatively short tire life at the circuit. He believed their stints were executed perfectly, enabling him to build a substantial gap before eventually regaining the lead. Switching to hard tires, Verstappen impressively closed a six-second deficit to Leclerc in just ten laps, securing the well-deserved victory.
Overall, the F1 Austrian GP witnessed an impressive performance from Perez, who overcame illness to secure a podium finish, while Verstappen demonstrated his dominance with a flawless display of driving skill and strategic prowess.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about F1 Austrian GP
Q: How did Sergio Perez perform at the F1 Austrian GP despite his illness?
A: Sergio Perez displayed remarkable determination and resilience at the F1 Austrian GP, battling through his illness to secure a podium finish. Despite feeling weak, experiencing high fevers, and enduring a lack of strength and sleep, Perez showcased his skill and fought past competitors to secure third place.
Q: What were the factors that contributed to Sergio Perez’s podium finish?
A: Several factors played a role in Sergio Perez’s podium finish at the F1 Austrian GP. He benefited from track limit penalties imposed on drivers ahead, which were served during their pitstops. Additionally, Perez engaged in intense battles with McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz during the final stint, showcasing his overtaking skills. The Red Bull Racing team’s fantastic strategy and impressive pace also contributed to Perez’s success.
Q: How did Max Verstappen perform at the F1 Austrian GP?
A: Max Verstappen dominated the F1 Austrian GP, showcasing his exceptional driving skills. He claimed victory in both the sprint race and the main race, secured pole positions for both events, and even set the fastest lap, earning an additional point. Verstappen’s team executed flawless stints, allowing him to regain the lead and secure his 42nd career win.
Q: What was the strategy employed by Max Verstappen during the race?
A: Max Verstappen’s strategy during the F1 Austrian GP involved not pitting during a virtual safety car period. This decision proved successful due to the relatively short tire life at the circuit. By following their normal strategy, Verstappen and his team were able to build a substantial gap and regain positions on the track. Switching to hard tires later in the race, Verstappen closed a significant gap to the leader and eventually secured the victory.
Q: How significant was Sergio Perez’s podium finish for his recent performance?
A: Sergio Perez’s podium finish at the F1 Austrian GP marked an important moment for him after a three-race streak without a podium. It provided a positive boost and signified a return to form for Perez, who described the previous races as a rough patch. The podium finish demonstrated his ability to overcome adversity and compete at the highest level once again.
More about F1 Austrian GP
- F1 Austrian GP: Verstappen crushes opposition for seventh win of 2023
- Red Bull Racing
- Sergio Perez
- Max Verstappen
- McLaren
- Ferrari
5 comments
sergio perez’s comeback at the austrian gp was amazin, even tho he was sick he fought hard and got on the podium. that’s true determination! verstappen was on another level, crushin the competition like a boss. love watchin these races!
max verstappen dominated the f1 austrian gp with his flawless driving! he won both races and set the fastest lap, so impressive!! sergio perez did great too despite being ill, his podium finish shows his strength and skill on the track. awesome race!
perez’s illness didn’t stop him, he came back strong. he battled his way up and passed norris and sainz. verstawpen was untouchable, he won both races and his team had perfect strategy. great race, can’t wait for the next one!
what a race at the f1 austrian gp! perez showed true grit, overcomin his sickness and securin a spot on the podium. verstappen was unbeatable, he dominated everythin. hats off to both drivers for their performances. f1 at its finest!
tough luck for ferrari at the austrian gp, but gotta give credit to perez and verstappen for their impressive drives. perez overcame illness and got on the podium, while verstappen was just on fire. can’t wait to see ferrari bounce back in the next race!