Sergio Perez takes third place for Sahara Force India: Russian Grand Prix

Sochi, 11 October 2015: Mexican Sergio Perez brought cheers with a highly-deserved podium for Sahara Force India as he overcame last-minute jitters and degrading tyres to take the third place in the 15th round of the Formula One World Championship here on Sunday. For the record Lewis Hamilton took his 42nd win to overtake the number of wins by his childhood hero Ayrton Senna and also equalled the record of Sebastian Vettel, who finished third for Ferrari today.

“A lot of things were going on in my mind (after the overtake). But I gave it may all. So I am very happy to be here,” Perez said on podium.

Trailing the Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes and the Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari , Perez saw his third place vanish when both Valtteri Bottas of Williams and Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari overtook him at the same corner with a lap to go. However, Bottas made contact with Raikkonen after he appeared to come into the line of the Red car and crashed out of the race. Though Raikkonen rejoined to finish the race in fifth place, the incident will be judged by the stewards before the result is confirmed.

Meanwhile, Perez who managed to save his front right tyre was back in the third place for his first podium this year. His last podium came in the Bahrain race in 2014, a third-place finish. Teammate Nico Hulkenberg retired early in the race with mechanical problems.

“It’s a fantastic podium for finish from Checo Perez at Sochi. Valuable 15 points to consolidate 5th position in the constructors championship. He deserves it and I am proud of the team,” said Vijay Mallya, team principal, after the race.

Sergio Perez stands ninth in the championship with 57 points while Force India stays at fifth place with 92 points.

 

eom/david