After some phenomenal late-race defending, a good strategy and a mistake on the Scuderia Ferrari pit-wall, Sergio Pérez has taken victory for the first time around the streets of Monte Carlo, and for a third win of his career.
Following an end-of-session crash in Qualifying Three on Saturday, Pérez started behind the two Ferrari cars in third place, ahead of team-mate Max Verstappen in fourth. The Mexican stayed composed and now finds himself just six points shy of Charles Leclerc in the drivers championship standings, while Verstappen extends his lead.
The number eleven driver says that is is “very special” to take victory at the Monaco Grand Prix – and says that his victory was inspired by his mother who was feeling unwell last week.
“It was really hard for me to think straight after the race, I was full of adrenaline and so much energy going through the race. Once I heard my national anthem on the podium here it hit me, it is a dream come true for any driver in the world to tick that box in Monaco and I can just be extremely happy,” explains the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver.
“We were quick all weekend, we kept our heads down and knew today with the right strategy we could make things happen. This win was for my mum and all my family, she was very sick last week so I had very good motivation going into this race to get her a victory.”
“It’s been an incredible day, I am super happy for the whole Team and I hope my country are proud too. You don’t win Monaco many times in your life so the first one is very special.”
“We made good decisions” – Max Verstappen
On the other side of the Red Bull garage, the weekend didn’t quite go the way of the reigning world champion, who was unable to maximise the potential of his car throughout the weekend. A tricky qualifying session (and some bad luck when the red flag prevented his final Qualifying Three run from counting) meant the Dutchman was starting down in fourth, for a rain-soaked Monaco Grand Prix.
Verstappen was able to jump Leclerc in the race to find a spot on the podium, but has ended his streak of winning every race he finished in 2022 so far. The number thirty three driver has, however, extended his lead in the drivers championship and is happy with the result overall.
“First of all congratulations to Checo, he did an incredible job today. As a Team we did a really great job, we managed a good strategy,” says Verstappen, reflecting on the race.”
“Of course finishing third for me is not ideal but I wasn’t able to improve my lap time yesterday so that’s just how it goes. In the heat of the battle and with the hectic start, we stayed calm as a Team, we made good decisions.”
“The strategy paid off with Checo winning so that was the biggest positive of the day. I’m really proud of the Team effort this weekend and to get two cars onto the podium,” the world champion concluded.
Monaco has always been the hardest track on the calendar to overtake at, and for Red Bull to finish above the Ferraris after being out-qualified is a result they can certainly be happy with.
