F1 | Bahrain GP | Perez: Grosjean’s accident ‘’puts everything into perspective’’ after losing podium
The Mexican looked set for P3, but a massive engine failure with four laps to go cost him his second podium of the season.
Sergio Perez was cruelly robbed of a podium with just four laps to go in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
From 5th on the grid, he made a beautiful start to overtake both Albon and Bottas to move into P3. He maintained that on the second start when the race got back underway following the red flag for Grosjean’s monster shunt.
He drove a typically impressive race; the Mexican was easing away from Albon throughout the race and had a 5s gap to the Thai driver before an MGU-K failure on lap 54 ended his race. The DNF sees him drop to P5 in the Drivers’ Championship, two points behind Ricciardo.
After the race, Perez was in a reflective mood. While a great drive ended in heartbreak, his thoughts were with Romain Grosjean and that his crash ‘’put everything into perspective.’’
"When I had to retire, it was a big hit personally but I think after what happened today, you really put everything into perspective," Perez said to Sky Sports. "For me, one podium less, one podium more, it doesn't matter.
"The most important of the day is that Romain is with us, that he escaped that accident. We have to see what we are able to improve on the safety side, because we don't want to see those kinds of accidents."
Perez hopes that lessons can be taken from the accident as the continuous push to improve safety is never-ending.
"I think it's a good lesson for all of us and see what we are able to improve in the coming tracks, in the future events, to make sure we don't get to see an accident like this again.
"The speed that he hit that is hard to do anything, but I'm sure there can be some improvements to be done."
As for the future, Perez is pretty relaxed as he believes he’s proven his ability since his debut at the 2011 Australian Grand Prix. It’s Red Bull or a sabbatical for Checo next year.
"I've been 10 years in the sport, I think people know what I can do, so I'm pretty relaxed about it," he said. "I'm confident with my capacities and the way I'm delivering now, but the way I've delivered over the 10 years so I'm pleased with that."
After what happened today, you really put everything into perspective. For me, one podium more, one podium less. It doesn’t matter. The most important thing of the day is that @RGrosjean is with us! pic.twitter.com/HnokqHfEzX
— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) November 29, 2020
