Checo Perez wonders what might have been: The reasons why he couldn't win the Las Vegas GP

August 2024 ยท 3 minute read

Checo Perez had one of those bittersweet days in Formula 1 on Sunday: a sweet taste for securing the runner-up spot in the Drivers' Championship despite all the pressure from inside and outside Red Bull, and without that complete happiness because on the last lap of the Las Vegas Grand Prix he let go of second place, overtaken by Charles Leclerc.

Something similar to what we experienced with Fernando Alonso, who took the podium from him in Brazil in a crazy overtake and finish, a word that goes ad hoc with what we experienced in Las Vegas: accidents, contact everywhere, two safety cars, several leaders during the race. And again with Checo fighting for a place on the last lap.

Sergio Perez spoke to F1 at the end of the race

At the end of the race, the Guadalajara-born Mexican momentarily forgot the historic fact of being the first driver from his country to win a runner-up spot in the world championship, to focus on what was the final moment in Las Vegas, losing to Leclerc.

"We had very strong pace in that first stint, so we got back into the fight and then with the safety car it took us into the lead and ahead of Charles, but I couldn't get away from him. I had too much wing on the car. So my straight-line speed was a bit low and I just couldn't get away. And then Max came along," he said.

The former Sauber, McLaren and Force India man started 11th in Las Vegas, to finish third at the chequered flag.

"The race started very badly, with a lot of damage. Initially we broke the front wing, so we basically went to the back of the grid and then progressively worked our way back up one by one." he said.

Sergio Perez's 35 Formula 1 podium finishes

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