Perez settles for P3: 'I'm just happy to go home'

Sergio Perez tried to get past Charles Leclerc in the closing stages of the race in Abu Dhabi, facing an additional challenge. Indeed, several drivers were lapped by the pair. Pierre Gasly created a dangerous situation in the process.

"I certainly lost a bit, probably a second or so or probably more," Perez stated at the FIA press conference, attended by GPblog. "It was clearly blue flags, but he was in a fight and it's pretty hard not to give up the position. I think he was thinking to go for the move but I just end up being there and I thought he left it opens. I went for it and luckily I could brake at the last minute otherwise there would have been contact."

Perez made it clear with a hand gesture to Gasly that he was not happy with the Frenchman's action, but afterwards, he was a lot calmer. "I think in normal conditions that will certainly be a penalty for Pierre but it is the last race. I'm just happy to go home, don't discuss anything and it's how it goes sometimes."

Had both drivers not encountered the heavy traffic, Perez would probably have had a tough time overtaking the Monegasque. Indeed, Perez did not manage to get within a second of his rival, which meant he could not use his DRS. Leclerc's second place means he takes the spot behind Max Verstappen in the world championship.