Sergio Perez Ensures Red Bull History As Max Verstappen Seals Las Vegas Grand Prix Victory

Sergio Perez Ensures Red Bull History As Max Verstappen Seals Las Vegas Grand Prix Victory

Ero Samson
updated at February 13, 2024 at 11:54 AM
  • Formula 1 headed to the Las Vegas Strip for round 22 of the 2023 season
  • Max Verstappen coasted to victory at the Vegas circuit
  • Sergio Perez ensured Red Bull made history with his podium finish

The Formula Las Vegas Grand Prix turned out to be a captivating spectacle, with Red Bull and Max Verstappen maintaining their season-long dominance by clinching another triumph at the street circuit in Nevada.

Despite a tumultuous start to the race weekend, marked by Carlos Sainz's chaotic crash during the Free Practice session, the event proved to be exhilarating. Verstappen stole the spotlight with a remarkable turn-one overtake of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

Formula 1
Race winner Max Verstappen, second-placed Charles Leclerc, and third-placed Sergio Perez pose for a photo in Parc Ferme at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Nevada. Image: Mark Thompson.
Source: Getty Images

The race unfolded with additional chaos, featuring multiple crashes, retirements, including the unfortunate incident involving McLaren's Lando Norris, and numerous intense moments along the Vegas Strip.

In the midst of the chaotic race, which saw Verstappen handed a five-second penalty, Red Bull found joy through Mexican driver Sergio Perez. Despite starting 11th on the grid, the 33-year-old ensured The Milton-Keynes' control of the race, as reported by Marca.

Although the race was filled with excitement, Perez eventually surrendered the top spot to teammate Verstappen and subsequently the second spot to Charles Leclerc on the final lap. Nevertheless, Perez's third-place finish secured P2 in the drivers' championship and contributed to Red Bull making history at the Vegas Strip.

Perez ensures Red Bull makes history

Following his podium finish, Perez officially secured the second spot in the drivers' standings, widening his lead over closest rival Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton to 41 points.

With only the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi remaining on the calendar, the Mexican driver's impressive result solidified the duo of Verstappen and Perez as the first driver pairing for Red Bull Racing to achieve a 1-2 in the Drivers' championship since the team entered the sport in 2005, as reported by RBR Daily.

Additionally, Perez made history as the first Mexican driver to secure P2 in the drivers' standings in the sport's 73-year history.

Red Bull, now victorious in 20 of the 21 races held in the 2023 season, aims to conclude the season on a high note with another win in Abu Dhabi, one of their favoured circuits.

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Lewis Hamilton on finishing above Perez

Sports Brief also previously reported on Mercedes driver, Hamilton discussing finishing above Perez and what he feels is important to him in this season.

The Briton downplayed his chances of leapfrogging the struggling Mexican driver following his P2 finish at the race at the Autodromo Hermono Rodriguez.

The seven-time F1 champion also spoke about his priority being set on ensuring Mercedes finished above Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship ranks.

Authors
Ero Samson photo
Ero Samson
Samson Ero is a sports journalist with a track record of over five years in the Nigerian media industry. He graduated from Nigerian Institute of Journalism (2021-2023).
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