Perez: US F1 GP my ‘toughest race physically’ after drinks bottle failure

Perez had a lonely race to finish third at the Circuit of the Americas, finishing over 40 seconds behind Red Bull teammate and eventual race winner Max Verstappen.

The Mexican reported over team radio that his drinks bottle had failed, and with temperatures incredibly hot, Perez’s pace started to suffer in the latter stages.

Charles Leclerc started to put pressure on Perez in the closing laps, but he resisted it to score back-to-back podiums for the first time this season.

Speaking after the race, Perez said: “I struggled massively. Since Lap 1, I run 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.”

Red Bull boss Christian Horner praised Perez for his performance over the whole weekend, stating that he’s “finding his form” at the right time of the season with just five races to go.

“He’s been a bit under the weather this weekend as well,” Horner added. “He’s had a bit of a cold so that was tough not to have the drinks system for him but the way he managed the race. 

“You can see his confidence is growing. That’s the second race in a row that he’s on the podium now, his home race coming up. He’s finding his form which is crucial for us at this time of the year.”

Perez's podium finish has allowed Red Bull to close the gap to Mercedes to 23 points in the constructors' championship.

With the Mexican Grand Prix next up, Perez will be hoping he will be able to continue his strong run of form on home soil as he goes in search of his first win at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.