Race winner Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme. 30.04.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 4, Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku Street Circuit, Azerbaijan, Race Day. – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] © Copyright: Coates / XPB Images
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez reiterated after his victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday that he is in Formula 1 to win the World Championship.
The Mexican driver started from third in Baku behind Charles Leclerc and team-mate Max Verstappen, and both Red Bulls managed to clear the Ferrari early on in the race.
Perez took advantage of a Safety Car caused by AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries to emerge ahead of Verstappen after his stop, and from there, he held off his team-mate to take his second victory of the season.
READ MORE: Perez beats Verstappen to Baku F1 victory
It followed the sprint race win on Saturday afternoon, culminating a fine weekend for the 33-year-old.
“A super weekend,” Perez told Sky F1. “I think we delivered under pressure massively because every single session was so critical in this format. It was really important to be able to deliver when it mattered.
“I think yesterday we executed a perfect short race, and today was again, we executed a tremendous race. That first stint was the key to my victory.”
Perez is the first repeat winner in Baku having also taken the chequered flag first in 2021.
He could also be seen brushing the walls on more than one occasion as he negotiated the tricky street circuit, which the six-time race winner says requires a confident racing driver to master it.
“I think generally speaking, it’s a track where you require a lot of confidence,” added Perez.
“[There are] a lot of corners and you see that a lot of drivers clipped walls during the race. So, I think it’s all about confidence, building that confidence lap-after-lap and making sure you are on top of your car.”
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14. 30.04.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 4, Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku Street Circuit, Azerbaijan, Race Day. – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Images
Just six points separate the two Red Bulls at the top of the championship after rounds, and Perez affirmed that he is not at the Milton Keynes-based side to make up the numbers – he is there to win.
“I think, having three kids at home, I wouldn’t be travelling the world if I didn’t believe that I can be a World Champion,” he said.
“And I’m working towards that, but obviously there is so much you can talk outside the car. I think it’s important to deliver on the track, and I think without the issues we had in qualifying in Melbourne, we should be leading the championship. So for sure, there is everything to believe that we can do well this year.”
After the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen played down any suggestions that there is a personal feud between himself and Perez, who agrees that there is not the vitriol that some many believe there is at Red Bull.
“I think, to be honest, it’s a great relationship between Max and myself,” elucidated Perez. “Because although not many people believe, we are very similar. We have a life out of the sport, and when we are at home, we pretty much disconnect from it so, when we are on track, we try to do the best possible job.
“We try to beat each other. I’m sure Max will look at my data; I will look at his. And we are just pushing each other massively, and I think this year it’s about not making those mistakes.”
Keyword: Perez: I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could win the title