Sergio Pérez got his third podium of the 2022 Formula 1 season by finishing second in the Spanish Grand Prix, the sixth round of the course, but the return to the positions of honor did not go as the Red Bull member expected.
The Mexican started from fifth position, and at the start he was placed fourth after beating Carlos Sainz, and thanks to that he was able to start chasing George Russell, who turned out to be a tough rival. The battle between the two would have continued were it not for Max Verstappen spinning at Turn 4 on Lap 9, falling behind the Mexican.
Red Bull ordered Pérez to let the Dutchman pass to try to keep the pressure on Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, leader of the race at the time, in addition to the fact that the one from Guadalajara was on a different strategy with the intention of trying to go to a single stop.
Perez moved up to second when Russell and Verstappen pitted on lap 14 to fit the medium compound. After Charles Leclerc retired on lap 27, Checo got into a battle with the Briton to take the lead, a goal he achieved on lap 31 by overtaking the Mercedes at the end of the main straight, while his Red Bull teammate came back after a quick second pit stop in which he was fitted with soft tires.
With just under 30 laps to go, the Austrians put the medium on him, the same as they did with Verstappen a few laps later. The world champion returned to the track in second place, behind Pérez, and Red Bull explained to the Mexican that his teammate’s pace was better as he had a fresher tire, so he had to let him pass if he caught up with him.
The mission was completed on lap 49, when Verstappen slipped behind Checo, who was unopposed to keep the one-two for the Milton Keynes team, but with the Latin American in second place.
This was Red Bull’s second one-two of the season after the one achieved at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, but with a different feel. As they crossed the finish line, Pérez reminded his engineer that they would have to talk about what had happened later, hinting that he wanted to discuss team orders.
“I’m happy for the team, but we need to talk later,” the Mexican said on the radio.
Before going up to the podium celebration, Pérez offered a few words to former driver Pedro de la Rosa, in charge of the interviews, who sought a statement from the Mexican regarding the team’s orders, a situation that Checo diplomatically evaded.
“I’m very happy to get on the podium for the first time at the Spanish Grand Prix”, said the Red Bull driver before the possibility of victory was put on the table: “I think it was close, but in the end it’s a great team result. I’m happy about it”.
Speaking of the moment he let himself be overtaken by Verstappen, he focused on the tire strategy : “We were on different strategies at the time. I let Max pass at the beginning and then I thought at that point I could get past him, not lose crucial seconds. for my strategy to work, but in any case, it’s a good team result.
