
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Sakhir Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – Racing Point’s Sergio Perez in action during the race Pool via REUTERS/Giuseppe Cacace

via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Sakhir Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – Racing Point’s Sergio Perez in action during the race Pool via REUTERS/Giuseppe Cacace
For those who thought F1 had become boring and redundant, the Sakhir Grand Prix served as a reminder that the sport never fails to disappoint. Sergio Perez drove a miracle race, building pace lap after lap to eventually claim his first-ever race win.
The race was chaotic from the get go, with both Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc suffering retirements. From there on out, everyone believed that George Russell, who was in the lead, would go on to win the race with a near-certain podium finish for Valtteri Bottas.
But late into the race, Mercedes made a double-stacked pit stop that dealt a huge blow to their podium plans. Sergio Perez capitalized on the opportunity and drove past the checkered flag in P1 with relative ease.
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Joy for Sergio Perez and heartbreak for Russell
Unsurprisingly, F1 enthusiasts went bonkers on Twitter and expressed various emotions through their posts. And needless to say, some users were lost for words at the developments occurring in the race.
This was Perez on lap one… #WTF1 #SakhirGP pic.twitter.com/sh5Fo410Se
— WTF1 (@wtf1official) December 6, 2020
F1, bloody hell.
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 6, 2020
— GuiCastro✠ (@Gui_castro1898) December 6, 2020
What a photo! 📸 pic.twitter.com/dphhX31oEq
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) December 6, 2020
Undoubtedly, Perez drove mightily, back down from P18 to finish in front of everyone on the grid. It was the sort of champion drive that leaves everyone wondering about how the Mexican lacks a seat for the 2021 season.
Elsewhere, young Russell who led the race for a commanding number of laps was also on course for his first-ever race win. But eventually, it was heartbreak for him as the 22-year-old had to settle with a points finish.
Perez deserved the victory and won his first race in absolute style
For years, the Mexican had been the king of the midfield, racing for Force India and later Racing Point. But despite coming close on so many occasions, he never got into positions to win races.
Give him the seat @redbullracing pic.twitter.com/dfLcmBSYHy
— Berkay (@bdotsenol) December 6, 2020
Gutted for George.
— M A X Chilton (@maxchilton) December 6, 2020
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My heart pic.twitter.com/FPPPNgJzzE
— Kat 🇧🇭 (@katbr_) December 6, 2020
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However, the Sakhir GP outlined his racecraft and credentials of being a top driver that refused to back down from the most negative of circumstances. In a way, he epitomized in this race what Formula 1 was all about.
One must also feel for Russell as a technical error in the pits cost him his first taste of a podium. Regardless, he can hold his head high and be proud of his points finish, which is his first-ever in his relatively young F1 career.
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