Sergio Perez says it is “not a coincidence” that he and Force India are usually well-place to profit from any opportunity in a wild Grand Prix, after he took a podium finish in Azerbaijan.
Perez dropped down the order on the opening lap, and pitted for fresh tyres, after which he gradually rose through the pack, benefiting when the Safety Car was called to clear the Red Bull incident.
Perez held fifth spot, passed Sebastian Vettel for fourth, and benefited when Valtteri Bottas sustained a puncture to take third.
It marked Perez and Force India’s fifth podium finish since their partnership began in 2014.
“Obviously, this result is a coincidence of so many things happening but it’s not a coincidence that we are always there to take anything that is offered to us,” said Perez.
“I think our battle is not here, to be honest, it’s the midfield and finally we got plenty of points with this podium, that we can close up the gap to the cars ahead, to the Renaults.
“I think we were definitely the fourth-best team this weekend. I believe that we are making good progress. Up to now we only had one point as a team.
“It’s definitely a massive motivation for all the boys that are doing a fantastic job. They did an incredible job with the stops. With the strategy. Yeah, what else can I say? Amazing job.”
Perez was the only driver to take on Supersofts for the final stint of the race, rather than the Ultrasoft, and expressed relief at keeping Vettel at bay, having passed his Ferrari rival.
“I did the best two laps of my whole career,” said Perez.
“The last two laps with Sebastian behind, with cold tyres, it was so difficult.
“I was on the Supersoft tyre. I had to keep a very strong rhythm, trying to keep close to [Kimi] Räikkönen, to make sure that Sebastian didn’t get close enough.”
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