Red Bull's Perez gets some solace at sprint race of Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix
CTV
Red Bull's Sergio Perez will start the Brazilian Grand Prix in ninth position after a poor qualifying session amid rain on Friday. But a third-place finish in Saturday's sun lit sprint race gave him a boost of six points against Hamilton's two, plus hope that it could all be different on Sunday.
Red Bull's Sergio Perez has faced headwinds in recent weeks, including his crash out of the Mexican Grand Prix and a narrowing the gap between him and Lewis Hamilton in the fight for the runner-up position in the drivers' championship.
The Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos also added frustration for the Mexican, who will start Sunday's race in ninth position after a poor qualifying session amid rain on Friday. But a third-place finish in Saturday's sun lit sprint race gave him a boost of six points against Hamilton's two, plus hope that it could all be different on Sunday.
Perez is second in the F1 standings and trying to block Hamilton, who cut the deficit from 39 points to 20 with three races remaining. Saturday's sprint race could push the Mercedes driver to take more risks in a race where most of the fans will be pushing for him.
Perez agreed he is more confident about his car for the race in Brazil.
"In Mexico, we were strong. But here it has been a good, solid day. It is a good place," Perez said. "Tomorrow, I have to try to improve what everyone has. Anything is possible."
The Mexican had to fight back to reclaim the third position from which he started. He was overtaken by both Mercedes drivers early in the sprint race, with raucous Brazilian fans cheering for both George Russell and Hamilton. Perez's high speed in straight lines made the difference so he could leave both behind later.
Formula One champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who will start the race in pole position, won at Interlagos his fourth sprint race in the season and will add another eight points to his tally. McLaren's Lando Norris finished second, more than four seconds behind the Dutchman in the 24-lap contest.
