Few races in motorsport history are as memorable as those filled with drama, excitement, and edge-of-the-seat tension, culminating in an unforgettable finish. Such was the case for Sergio Perez, the Mexican driver who seized his maiden Formula One victory after starting from last position in a chaotic and unpredictable Sakhir Grand Prix.
In this race, George Russell launched off the grid with remarkable speed, taking the lead at Turn 1, with teammate Valtteri Bottas in second. Behind the Mercedes duo, a fierce battle for third ensued between Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, and Sergio Perez. At Turn 4, Leclerc braked late and collided with Perez, causing him to spin and damaging Leclerc’s front left suspension. Verstappen, trying to avoid the incident, went wide and hit the barriers, bringing out the safety car. While Leclerc and Verstappen retired, Perez rejoined the race at the back after a tyre change. Leclerc was later penalised three grid spots for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for his role in the incident.
As the safety car withdrew on lap 7, Russell extended his lead over Bottas. Behind them, Carlos Sainz Jr., Lance Stroll, and drivers from AlphaTauri and Renault occupied the top eight positions. By lap 20, Perez had climbed back into the points, running in tenth. After the first round of pit stops by lap 50, Russell, Bottas, and Sainz led the pack, with Perez, having made a second stop for fresh tyres, in ninth.
On lap 54, Nicholas Latifi’s Williams retired from 13th place due to an oil leak, triggering a Virtual Safety Car (VSC). Several drivers pitted during the VSC, but Perez stayed out. Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo lost positions due to the brief VSC period, while Perez moved up to third, with Esteban Ocon in fourth and Stroll in fifth.
On lap 61, Jack Aitken spun and lost his front wing at the final turn, prompting another VSC to clear debris. Mercedes opted to double-stack their cars for pit stops, but confusion led to a tyre mix-up. Russell left with Bottas’s front tyres, while Bottas had a prolonged stop and was eventually sent out with his original tyres. Russell had to pit again for his own tyres, dropping Bottas to fourth and Russell to fifth, behind Perez, Ocon, and Stroll.
When racing resumed on lap 69, Russell, on fresh tyres, quickly overtook Bottas, Stroll, and Ocon, chasing down Perez. Bottas, struggling on worn tyres, dropped to ninth. On lap 78, Russell’s charge was halted by a rear left tyre puncture, forcing another pit stop.
He rejoined in 14th but fought back to ninth, securing his first World Drivers’ Championship points and setting a record-breaking fastest lap of 55.404 seconds.
Sergio Perez claimed victory, his first in 190 races, ahead of Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll, marking Racing Point’s only win as a constructor. This victory made Perez the first Mexican to win an F1 race since Pedro Rodríguez in 1970. Ocon celebrated his first podium finish, and Racing Point’s double-podium finish elevated them to third in the Constructors’ Championship. Despite the pit stop chaos, the stewards only issued a monetary fine to Mercedes for the error.
Perez, with tears streaming down his face during his victory lap, expressed his disbelief and overwhelming emotion at his long-awaited victory. He mentioned that it had taken him ten years to achieve this and he was at a loss for words. Reflecting on the race, he noted that after the first lap it seemed like it was over, but he never gave up. Ultimately, his pace was sufficient to hold off George.
Perez’s triumph was bittersweet, as he was set to be replaced by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel at Racing Point, which would rebrand as Aston Martin the following year. Despite lacking a confirmed seat for 2021, Perez was a strong contender to replace Alexander Albon at Red Bull, partnering Max Verstappen, who had been one of the casualties of the chaotic opening lap.
Esteban Ocon of Renault secured his first podium finish, crossing the line in second place, followed by Perez’s teammate, Lance Stroll. Ocon, his voice heavy with emotion, expressed that he was at a loss for words and had cried upon finishing. He reflected on the challenging season, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and self-belief, especially when fewer people have faith in you.
Stroll reflected on the race, describing it as an amazing result for the team. He admitted that part of him felt a little disappointed because he could have won, but he acknowledged that it was a great result and exactly what they needed for the championship.
The race also saw Carlos Sainz, soon to join Ferrari, finishing fourth for McLaren, followed by Daniel Ricciardo’s Renault and Albon’s Red Bull. Daniil Kvyat secured seventh for Alpha Tauri, ahead of the two Mercedes cars. Russell, at least, managed to claim his first F1 points and clocked the fastest lap despite the setback. Lando Norris, starting from the back, rounded out the top ten for McLaren.
In the end, Perez, in what might be his penultimate race for Racing Point, raced to a stunning and well-deserved victory, crossing the finish line first with a time of 1hr 31min 15.114sec. The race was a testament to his determination and talent, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
