F1 | Red Bull, Perez: “Without Carlos' penalty it would have been more difficult”

Sergio Perezfinally, there is! The Mexican had to sweat this return to the podium after a fast that began in Montecarlo. It was a difficult time for Czech, which arrived in Austria affected, with a fifteenth place in qualifying which forced him to make a comeback. The results of Sprint Race gave the managers hope Red Bull, who after weeks were perhaps starting to have enough of this drop in performance from the Mexican. During the race, Perez slowly moved up the rankings and, thanks to the pit stops of others during the Virtual Safety Car, he climbed back up to the podium. After the pit stop he gets back behind the Ferrari and then, after the second stop, starting an intense fight with the red team Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard – penalized due to track limits – fought like a lion on the track and didn't want to leave Perez any way out. The Mexican had to sweat out that podium, with Sainz playing strategy, securing the DRS for several laps. After several back-and-forths, Perez manages to overtake the SF-23, going on to conquer the much sought after podium. Checo can smile, as he returns to celebrate on the podium despite his less than optimal physical condition, finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

“The issue of track limits has penalized everyone a bit. I think we had the pace this weekend, without the track limits I would have been in front. It's a good recovery, I feel comfortable with the car and there's no reason why I can't return to performing as before – assured Checco – the battle with Carlos was pleasant, but tough. I think Ferrari is improving, they were strong all weekend. Without Carlos' penalty it would have been more difficult, but I'm happy that it went like this."