Sergio Pérez returned to the podium at the 2022 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix by achieving second place, a result that also allows him to overtake Charles Leclerc in the overall drivers’ standings and move into second place, behind Max Verstappen.
However, the Mexican wasn’t too satisfied with what he got after seeing how his Red Bull teammate came from behind to take the victory in a show of superiority that allows him to widen his gap at the top of the championship.
“Really, I expected more today. It was a good opportunity, but Max [Verstappen] was flying. He was on another planet and he was untouchable,” said Perez at the end of the race.
Checo had a difficult start , and despite starting from second position, the Mexican fell to fifth place after being overtaken by Fernando Alonso’s Alpine and George Russell and Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes. An incident between the multiple world champions and an overtake on the second driver of the Silver Arrows allowed him to return to his original place as Carlos Sainz’s pursuer.
“There was a bit of chaos on the first lap. I had a bad start and lost some positions, I managed to get them all back in turn 5. It was very bumpy that first lap, and there were a lot of touches around it,” said the member of the Milton team. Keynes.
The medium compound strategy with which he started did not offer the desired performance and he had to pit before Verstappen at a time when the Dutchman had already overtaken him on the track to inherit the race lead for the first time.
From that moment on, Checo’s focus was on staying in second position to return to the podium after his last time popping the champagne at the British GP: “The first stint was pretty poor in terms of degradation.”
“But, still, it’s a very good result for the team, and I think we got a lot of points today, which is the important thing. We have to look forward,” concluded the Mexican.
Do you want to read our news before anyone else and for free? Follow us here on our Telegram channel and you won’t miss a thing. All the information, at your fingertips!
