Sergio Perez reveals that his third-place podium finish at the U.S. Grand Prix was the toughest race of his Formula 1 career due to dehydration throughout the entire race.
As Perez lined up on the grid, he told engineers at Red Bull that his water bottle tube was malfunctioning and water was leaking inside his race suit. The problem persisted and Perez ran out of water from the very first lap of the race. He notes that the Formula 1 US GP could end up being his toughest race ever in terms of physicality.
Via ESPN:
“I struggled massively,” Perez said after the race. “Since Lap 1, I ran out of water, I couldn't drink at all. I think by the middle of the second stint it was starting to get pretty difficult, losing strength. I think my toughest ever physically.”
Perez ultimately held on to third, finishing more than 40 seconds behind teammate Max Verstappen and 7-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton. Upon coming up to the podium, the Mexican was met with an ovation from the crowd, seeing large support from his fellow countrymen from Mexico.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner further revealed that Checo was struggling with the stomach flu throughout the weekend, which made it even more impressive that he was able to endure all the hardships of the race.
“Checo drove another strong race today. … It wasn't great for him as he was struggling with a stomach bug for most of the weekend,” Horner said. “Not great to lose the fluid on a day like this today.”
Perez will certainly look forward to more support next weekend as Formula 1 heads to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for the Mexican GP. Red Bull is known to be strong in Mexico so Max Verstappen will also look to extend his championship lead on Lewis Hamilton heading into the final 5 races of the season.
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