Sergio Perez claims maiden Formula One win at Sakhir Grand Prix as tire mix-up denies George Russell

It proved to be a stunning day for Racing Point, too, with Lance Stroll finishing third — the Canadian’s third podium and the team’s first-ever double podium.

Renault’s Esteban Ocon, meanwhile, placed second to secure his first-ever podium.

“I’m speechless, I hope I’m not dreaming,” Perez said after the race.

“Ten years it took me. Incredible … I don’t know what to say … the luck hasn’t been with us this year but we’ve finally got it and I think we won today on merit.”

Now facing a season without a team, Perez is confident he still has a future in the sport.

“It just gives me a bit more peace with myself, to be honest,” he said of the win. “What happens is not so much in my hands at the moment, but I know I want to keep going. If I’m not in the grid next year, I will be back in 2022.”

Both Verstappen, arguably the pre-race favorite, and Leclerc were forced out of the race after the collision, but Perez rallied and quickly started gaining places through the grid.

And when Mercedes chose to pit both Russell and Bottas during a safety car period, Perez moved into the lead.

He was under pressure from a charging Russell in the closing stages, but the puncture cost the Briton and saw him drop to the back of the grid.

In a disappointing race for the usually dominant Mercedes, Russell eventually finished ninth — his first championship points in F1 — while Bottas finished eighth.

“For my health and safety, it is better I don’t take the risk to race in Abu Dhabi,” Grosjean said in a video posted on social media. “It is a very difficult decision, but it is the best one for my future.”