WATCH: Throwback to Sergio Perez's maiden F1 win with Red Bull at 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a race filled with drama, twists, and a remarkable breakthrough for Sergio Perez. The Mexican driver claimed his maiden victory for Red Bull Racing in what was only his sixth race for the team. Perez’s win marked not only his first triumph of the 2021 Formula 1 season but also a pivotal moment in his career.

Here is the winning moment:

2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Sergio Pérez takes his first Red Bull win in Baku https://t.co/I0wbvdiUyc

— rkdfanclub (@RkdFanclub) September 12, 2024

A sad moment for Lewis and his fans. All the effort went to zero with one late braking error on penultimate lap on the restart where Sergio Perez takes the lead and won the race.#F1 2021 #AzerbaijanGP

pic.twitter.com/A1HWMXnOGE

— PeaCup: The Token of Champions! (@PeaCup2024) September 11, 2024

Notably, Perez finished ahead of Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel and AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly in an unpredictable race that saw key contenders falter. The chaotic nature of the race was underscored by the failures of title rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

Both had led the race at different points but left Baku without adding to their points tally. Verstappen, who looked set for a comfortable win, suffered a high-speed tyre blowout in the initial stages, while Hamilton’s hopes for victory were dashed when he locked up during a dramatic late-race restart, sending him off the track.

Sergio Perez’s iconic run paid off!

However, Sergio Perez had shown stellar racecraft throughout the Grand Prix. Starting in sixth position after a less-than-ideal qualifying session, he quickly worked his way up the order. A key moment came on the opening lap when Perez gained three positions, setting the stage for a strong race. He then maintained a composed drive, executing strategic overtakes and keeping Hamilton at bay with flawless precision.

The early stages of the race saw pole-sitter Charles Leclerc lead the field, but Ferrari’s struggles with tyre wear soon allowed Hamilton to seize the lead. Red Bull, however, executed a strategic masterclass, with Perez and Verstappen jumping Hamilton after the pit stops. The team appeared poised for a dominant 1-2 finish before Verstappen’s unfortunate tyre failure.

Perez inherited the lead following his teammate’s crash and held on brilliantly through a tense final restart. This victory not only boosted Perez’s confidence but also elevated him to third in the Drivers’ Championship, surpassing Valtteri Bottas and Lando Norris. It's worth noting that Perez is the only driver in F1 history to register multiple wins at Baku Street Circuit as he won the race in 2023 also.