“It’s a great start, it’s a good return as a team, we worked very hard during the winter”, commented the Mexican Red Bull driver Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez following winning second place in the Bahrain Grand Prix, with which he adds his podium 27 within the premier category of motorsport, “we got 1-2 in the race, we have a very strong package”.
Max Verstappen started the 2023 Formula One season as the race winner this Sunday, while Spaniard Fernando Alonso took third place on the podium.
Leaving the track, ‘Checo’ was told that, of course, he would also want to win: “The start put me out of shape in the race, it was all trying to minimize the damage, finishing second is the most I might do today, but it’s a long season, I think I’ll be closer every session”. It should be remembered that during the first laps he lost position in front of Charles Leclerc.
“I feel comfortable with the car, we have a great package to be able to fight throughout the season, I’m going to do my best.”
Fernando Alonso: heading for his 100th podium
Fernando Alonso he was also named driver of the day and celebrated his 99th podium in Formula 1 this Sunday.
When interviewed, he recognized his Aston Martin teammate, who finished sixth: “First of all I want to congratulate Lance (Stroll), my partner, who had surgery 12 days ago, following his injury has done a sensational job, like the whole team, which has been incredible.
“It has been very exciting; It has been a great weekend”, exclaimed a euphoric Alonso… It’s amazing what Aston Martin has done this winter.”
In his opinion, although they did not have the best start, they used the pace of the race to get there and “fight with Hamilton”: “I’m sure people enjoyed it and that’s what we’ll try to keep doing.”
Max Verstappen seeks to be three-time champion
The Bahrain Grand Prix champion commented: “Since the first steam was where I built my difference, we didn’t know what might happen in the race so we tried to cover all the possibilities, it’s a great win for the team”.
When asked regarding some of the complaints he’s made regarding his car throughout the race, the Dutchman said: “It’s just a few small things we’re always going to try to improve… we have a good race package”.
