Sergio Perez’s best moments with Red Bull
Although he didn't have the same track record as Max Verstappen with his team, the Mexican played an important role at Red Bull. Motors Inside looks back at some of Sergio Perez's achievements with the team.
Everything hasn’t always been rosy. But with Red Bull, Sergio Perez has still accomplished some great things. Although he was struggling at the end of his time with the Austrian team, the man with number 11 was able to show on several occasions that he deserved his place in Formula 1. Certainly, his record with Christian Horner’s team is far from glorious, but sharing a garage with Max Verstappen is no easy feat.
The Minister of Defense
Let’s go back to his first year of contract with Red Bull. In 2021, Sergio Perez finally joined one of the best teams on the grid and could fight for victories regularly. But in Abu Dhabi, it was not by going for first place that he made his mark.
For this final race of the year, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were vying for the world crown. With a much better car, the Brit quickly took the lead. Due to the pit stop strategy, the Mercedes driver found himself behind the Mexican. The latter then put up a strong resistance against the seven-time world champion, allowing the Dutchman to come back within striking distance of car number 44.
If it was not this action that allowed Max Verstappen to secure his first title, it has remained legendary.
Unfazed in the city
On his six victories, Sergio Perez has secured five with Red Bull. And they all have one thing in common. He won these Grand Prix in city races. Already in Baku in 2021, a feat he repeated in 2023, the date of his last Formula 1 victory.
He also raised his arms in Singapore, Monaco, and Jeddah. Thus, he placed his car on the top step of the podium during all the urban races on the calendar.
In terms of pole positions, it’s more or less the same. He achieved the fastest qualifying time for the first time in Saudi Arabia in 2022, then again in 2023. The only exception remains Miami last year.
His race comebacks
Qualifications have never been his strong suit. The Mexican has often failed to reach Q3, or even Q2. Starting several times far back on the grid, he had to make multiple comebacks to climb up the hierarchy.
For example, in Qatar in 2021, he started from 11th place and finished just off the podium. Esteban Ocon had slowed him down enough to prevent him from catching Fernando Alonso. The deployment of the virtual safety car had also greatly helped the Spaniard and prevented the driver number 11 from effectively completing his mission.
Another example, in Melbourne last year, he started last and climbed up to fifth place.
Sergio Perez in a few statistics
5: The number of victories with his team
3: The number of pole positions with the Austrian team
8: The number of fastest laps in races with Red Bull
305: His record for points in a season with the team was in 2022.
932: His number of points scored with Red Bull
90: The number of Grand Prix with Red Bull
