Perez hails 'best performance' after storming to Singapore triumph
Monday, 3 October 2022
The Mexican held his nerve.
Sergio Perez labelled the Singapore Grand Prix victory as his "best performance" after holding off Charles Leclerc on a soaked Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Ferrari driver Leclerc started on pole on Sunday ahead of Perez, who breezed into the lead at the first corner as Formula One racing returned to Singapore for the first time in three years.
¡¡Cuánto necesitaba este momento!! Ganamos y pusimos a nuestro país donde se lo merece. 🇲🇽
— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) October 2, 2022
Excelente trabajo @redbullracing
I really needed this moment!! We won and put our country where it belongs!!
Excellent team work @redbullracing 🙌 pic.twitter.com/h4JyLIRoYU
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The wet conditions that caused the race to be delayed by an hour were a problem throughout, with numerous safety cars deployed as five drivers failed to finish.
Perez held his nerve despite late pressure from Leclerc to claim his second victory of the season and fourth of his career to end Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen's five-race winning streak.
"It was certainly my best performance," Perez told Sky Sports after the conclusion. "I controlled the race.
"The last three laps were so intense – when I got out of the car, I felt it. I gave everything."
While Perez celebrated on the podium, stewards investigated a possible infringement behind the safety car – a misdemeanour that Ferrari deemed worthy of a 10-second time penalty.
"I have no idea what's going on, they just told me I was under investigation and to increase the gap," Perez added after finishing seven seconds ahead of Ferrari's Leclerc.
Leclerc's colleague Carlos Sainz settled for third after battling with Lewis Hamilton on the opening corner, with the Briton finishing in ninth after another frustrating outing.
"It was very tough out there," Sainz said. "I never really got into a rhythm in the wet and then couldn't challenge the top two guys.
"I had to settle for P3, but the good thing is I didn't do any mistakes and could bring the car home and be quick towards the end of the race.
"It's a good result for the team in the Constructors' Championship."
