The Japanese Grand Prix produced one of the most enthralling races for some time from a tactical perspective.
An early red flag forced every team to re-think their approach and in the end, Red Bull once again came out on top.
However, speaking on Sky Sports F1 commentary, David Croft and Anthony Davidson highlighted one move in particular that left them very impressed.
Once again, Max Verstappen led into turn one from the start – and the restart – and wasn’t seen for the rest of the race.
There were a lot of different strategies on show in Suzuka, with some teams – such as Mercedes – trying a one-stop strategy, while Fernando Alonso was on the soft tyres.
Unsurprisingly, the Spaniard nailed his race and scored even more points than expected for Aston Martin.
He produced a fantastic display of defensive driving, but there were plenty more signs of aggression from other drivers.
Kevin Magnussen narrowly escaped a collision with Logan Sargeant on the first lap but it earned him a position.
However, David Croft loved what he saw from Sergio Perez and his overtaking manoeuvres during the Japanese Grand Prix.
It helped him earn an important second place after the disappointment of Melbourne.
READ MORE: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname
David Croft hails Sergio Perez’s overtaking during the Japanese Grand Prix
For the first time this season, Red Bull nailed both Saturday and Sunday during a Grand Prix weekend.
Sergio Perez’s qualifying performances have been called into question in the past but he managed to fend off Lando Norris and the two Ferraris over one lap.
Both drivers started well but had work to do after the first round of pit stops.
The degradation was so high in Japan that the two-stop strategy was the way forward unless you ask Charles Leclerc.
It meant that Perez had to use his overtaking skills to make his way through the pack during the Japanese Grand Prix, much to the delight of Croft and Davidson.
Perez is aided by the fact that he has the fastest car on the grid, especially with the new upgrades delivered this weekend.
But he still had to pull off the moves and did so at one of the highest speed points on the track.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links
Sergio Perez shows off his skills in Suzuka
As he approached seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, Davidson said: “Sorry, it was [Max] Verstappen I saw getting past [George] Russell, it wasn’t [Sergio] Perez, but it’s now Perez’s go on Lewis Hamilton.”
Croft added: “Into 130R we go! Do you? Oh, you do! Now that is nice!
“Despite the tyre advantage Sergio Perez has got, you always love to see that, any overtake at 130R is good for me!
Davidson concluded: “Wow, that was brave, brave stuff from Perez there! He wasn’t ahead of Lewis when he committed to the corner.”
Sergio Perez making a great case to stay at Red Bull
While Perez was concentrating on his overtaking during the Japanese Grand Prix – much to the delight of Croft and Davidson – he still needs to secure his long-term future.
The £215,000-a-week driver is out of contract at the end of 2024.
He’s under pressure to perform considering how well Carlos Sainz is doing this season and the Spaniard is searching for a race seat for 2025.
There’s talk in the paddock that Perez might have already put pen to paper on a new one-year deal.
However, until anything is confirmed, Perez will know he needs to continue maximising his performances and support Verstappen in any way he can.
The post ‘Love to see that’: David Croft blown away by £215k-a-week driver’s overtaking during Japanese GP appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
