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The Red Bull driver had endured a challenging few races, failing to reach the podium in three consecutive events and qualifying outside the top 10 for the fourth race in a row.
Mexican driver Sergio Perez silenced his critics and reestablished himself as a contender in Formula One after securing a third-place finish in the Austrian Grand Prix sprint on Sunday.
The Red Bull driver had endured a challenging few races, failing to reach the podium in three consecutive events and qualifying outside the top 10 for the fourth race in a row.
However, he rose from 15th on the grid to finish an impressive third in the 71-lap race. When asked about the result's impact on his confidence, Perez confidently replied to reporters, "I haven't lost it.”
“You know, you don't go from winning races to all of a sudden being a very bad driver." The 33-year-old driver acknowledged the difficulties he had faced but emphasized the intricate nature of the sport.
Heading into Sunday's race, Perez faced further adversity as he qualified in 15th place after having his laps deleted for exceeding track limits.
Additionally, the Mexican driver had been grappling with health issues after falling ill upon his arrival in Spielberg.
His teammate, Max Verstappen, who is currently leading the championship and has won six out of the eight races this season, extended his lead over Perez by a substantial 81 points.
Perez started the season strongly, winning two of the first four races and appearing poised to take the championship lead from Verstappen.
However, his fortunes took a turn for the worse, and he has not reached the podium since then. Meanwhile, Verstappen has continued his dominant form, securing five consecutive wins.
Red Bull's streak of success now extends to a remarkable nine victories, including the final race of the 2022 season.
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