Last to first: Perez gets career’s first race win

MANAMA, December 7

Mexican Sergio Perez, in his penultimate race for Racing Point and without a drive for next season, took the first win of his Formula One career in an extraordinary Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain on Sunday. Tearful Frenchman Esteban Ocon was second for Renault, his first podium finish, and Canadian Lance Stroll took third for Racing Point as champions Mercedes’s race fell apart in a botched pitstop and bad luck.

“I hope I’m not dreaming because I’ve been dreaming of this moment for 10 years,” said Perez.

Perez spun on the opening lap after a clash that sent Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc out of the race. The Mexican’s fighting comeback through the field after pitting, from 18th place to an emotional victory, was the stuff of fantasy. The victory was the first for the team as Racing Point and first for the Silverstone-based outfit since Italian Giancarlo Fisichella won for predecessors Jordan in Brazil in 2003. — Reuters