Formula 1: Sergio Perez insists he has never had a podium-worthy car

Sergio Perez

Perez insists he has never had a podium-worthy car

Eight podium spots in his career...

Martin Macdonald

Sunday 25 August 2019 13:30

Sergio Perez believes that he has never had a car capable of taking him to a podium finish in Formula 1, despite the fact he has had eight in his career thus far.

The Mexican has been a F1 driver for eight years now, having driven for Sauber, McLaren, and Force India (now Racing Point), with his last top-three finish coming in the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Perez laments never having the car to power him to more podium finishes.

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“I've never had that car!” he told the official F1 website when asked which vehicle suited him the best.

“The 2012 [Sauber] was a good race car. I think we did great things with that car in a couple of races – it was very impressive what that car could do.

“But to be honest, in all my nine years, I've never had a car capable of achieving a podium.

“Maybe a couple of them, but not all of them. You always aim to have the best possible car on the grid, and unfortunately, I haven't had that yet.”

If he never had the car, it begs the question as to how Perez managed to secure those eight podium spots in as many years. According to himself, his “racecraft” enabled him to overcome car deficits.

“My racecraft is the strongest point I have,” he continued.

“Figuring out a race, and whenever there is an opportunity, making sure that the strategy [works out]. I mean, there is so much as a racing driver you can do with the strategy.

“But I remember a couple of my podiums came thanks to me managing a bit the strategy and deciding when to pit, when not to pit, so it's important.

“That racecraft and making sure that you always deliver at your best, I think it's what I've been able to do in the last couple of years, very consistent, delivering a lot of points.”