Sergio Perez UNRETIRES from Japanese Grand Prix

checo perez, sergio perez — Photo: © LAT Images

Japanese Grand Prix

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Perez UNRETIRES from Japanese Grand Prix

A bizarre moment saw Red Bull send Perez back out on track at the Suzuka circuit

Matthew Hobkinson Lead Editor

F1 Editor & Journalist

Sunday 24 September 2023 08:22 Updated: 17:46

Red Bull made the decision to 'unretire' Sergio Perez from the Japanese Grand Prix, in a bid to ensure that the Mexican avoided a further grid penalty.

Perez, who retired from the race on lap 15, had a hectic start after he made contact with Lewis Hamilton in the opening stages.

The 33-year-old was then hit with a five-second time penalty for overtaking Lance Stroll under safety car conditions as he headed into the pitlane.

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A later collision with Kevin Magnussen would prove one incident too many for the Red Bull driver, as the team made the call to retire him from the Grand Prix.

Perez sent back out

Sergio Perez endured a difficult Sunday at the Japanese Grand Prix

Yet as he was coming into the garage, it became apparent that Perez still had a five-second time penalty to serve, despite being technically out of the running.

And in a bid to avoid a grid penalty at the subsequent Qatar Grand Prix, with his punishment in Suzuka following him to the next track, Red Bull made the strange call to send him back out on lap 41.

Perez therefore rejoined the race almost an hour after the initial retirement, allowing him to serve his penalty at the Japanese Grand Prix and avoid any further punishment in future races.

Yet rather than stay out for the remainder of the race, Perez shortly returned to the pits to retire for the second and final time.