Perez boosted by race-day charge in Hungary but says ‘now I have to find consistency’

Sergio Perez cut a positive figure after the Hungarian Grand Prix as the Red Bull driver built on his first Q3 appearance in six events with an eye-catching drive from ninth to the podium.

Perez arrived at the Hungaroring looking to end a damaging run of Q1 and Q2 exits, and while he did so, the Mexican was still faced with another race-day charge from the fifth row of the grid.

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Using an alternative tyre strategy – having started on hard tyres, rather than mediums chosen by the majority around him – Perez went long on his first stint to haul himself into contention, while completing impressive moves on the likes of Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri.

Crossing the line in third, behind race-winning team mate Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris, it marked only the second podium from six Grands Prix for Perez, who is determined to keep moving in the right direction in Belgium this weekend.

“It was a tough race, very hot out there, very demanding physically,” said Perez, as he reflected on his rise of six positions in the intense mid-afternoon temperatures.

“Also mentally, looking after the tyres, especially with the strategy that we were on – that hard compound was quite tricky, but we managed to do it well.

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“It’s obviously a good result, now I just have to find that consistency and make sure that we operate on that level [going forward], but it’s been a very good day in the championship.”

Perez also took some satisfaction from contributing to Red Bull’s new record of 12 successive F1 race wins – having triumphed in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan earlier this season.

“For the team to do this record of 12 victories in a row, it’s incredible to be part of,” he added. “Now I’m looking forward massively to Belgium.”

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Heading to Spa-Francorchamps, Perez trails Verstappen by 110 points in the drivers’ standings, while Red Bull sit 229 points clear of Mercedes in the constructors’.