Perez led the Formula 1 race from the first lap to take the win, while also holding off a charge from Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and incurring a 5-second penalty.

Perez was penalised 5 seconds for getting closer than ten car lengths of the safety car during a yellow flag.

Leclerc put a lot of pressure on Perez, but ultimately had to settle for second. Carlos Sainz of Ferrari rounded off the podium for third.

Perez said it was probably the best race of his career.

“Yeah, it was certainly, I think, my best performance," said race-winner Sergio Perez.

“I controlled the race although the warm-up was pretty difficult. The last few laps were so intense. I really didn’t feel it so much in the car but when I got out of it, I felt it.

“I pushed – I gave everything for the win today.”

The reigning Formula 1 World Champion, Max Verstappen, had to settle for seventh, but can still win a second world championship this weekend in Suzuka.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport