Perez wants new nickname: "The 'minister of attacking' seems good"

F1 News

Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz joke about their nicknames
4 September 2023 at 10:59
Last update 4 September 2023 at 12:00
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  • Sam Godber

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz both stood on the podium with big smiles. The two Spanish-speaking drivers both had a strong weekend and were praised for their attacking and defensive work. The two deserve a new nickname, they think.

Carlos Sainz started from pole position and had to defend his positions for 51 laps after the start. After Red Bull drivers Perez and Max Verstappen eventually proved too fast, a blistering battle ensued with teammate Charles Leclerc for the final podium spot. The Spaniard stuck out his elbows and managed to retain third place. It should earn him a new title, he thinks to himself:"I am happy to share the Minister of Defence title of Spain and Checo Mexican, no?" the Madrid man laughed.

Perez went into the books as the minister of defence after his insane defensive actions on Lewis Hamilton at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a title Sainz would now like to share. "Then we can have a political dinner," the Ferrari man added. Perez himself thought of another nickname: "How about 'minister of attacks'? We need that title," Perez joked back.

After both men decided they could share the two titles, Sainz elaborated on the fight with his teammate:"I never felt too much of a risk with Charles. Obviously with a teammate, you're always a bit more tense, leave a bit more space, because [a Ferrari crash is] the last thing you want in Monza in front of the Tifosi. But I think we had a tough battle. It was for an important position and we managed to keep it clean. It was good fun. As I said, I had fun with Charles, but I also had fun with Max and Checo. I would have preferred to be the one attacking than the one defending, not going to lie. But today was my turn to defend and I feel like I did that well."