LAS VEGAS, November 19 – Sergio Perez was disappointed to lose second place to Charles Leclerc on the final lap of yesterday’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, but the Mexican You’ll feel relieved. He moved up to 2nd place in the overall driver rankings.
Ferrari’s Leclerc overtook Perez for second place at Turn 14 on the final lap of an action-packed opening race, giving Perez’s Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen his 18th win of the season.
It was Perez’s victory as he completed the race. Perez pitted on the first lap after colliding with Valtteri Bottas in the tight Turn 1 and damaging his front wing.
“It was a really difficult start because of the damage,” Perez said.
“In the beginning my front wing broke so I basically ended up at the back of the grid. And then we took it one step at a time and everything fell into place.
I had very good pace in this first stint and was able to catch up again. Then the safety car took us into the race.
Perez said the race, which had been criticized by some as too chaotic for the crowded city and lacking in drama, was a success as Verstappen had already won the season title.
“It was good for the race,” he said.
“It wasn’t easy to break free from the people behind me. And it’s a little like Baku, being the lead car makes life a little bit harder for you out there. So I think it did deliver.”
The F1 season now shifts to its final event of the year with the Nov. 24-26 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. — Reuters.