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Sakhir (AP) - A series of breakdowns at Lewis Hamilton's representatives George Russell and Mercedes helped the Mexican Sergio Perez to his first victory in Formula 1.

In the penultimate race of the season in Bahrain, the 30-year-old took first place in his Racing Point after the otherwise dominant Silver Arrows team only got mixed up with their tires during the pit stop and Russell was then slowed down by a puncture while chasing back.

"I hope I'm not dreaming," said Perez, overjoyed.

Frenchman Esteban Ocon came second in a Renault, while Sakhir Perez team-mate Lance Stroll took third place on the dusty short course.

For Perez, who paused twice in the summer due to a corona infection, the win in his 190th Grand Prix start was a particular satisfaction.

At the end of the year, the veteran must vacate his cockpit for Sebastian Vettel, who this time came twelfth without points in the Ferrari.

"I'm speechless, guys," said Perez, his voice choked with tears.

"Checo, Checo, Checo," his mechanics chanted.

After an accident on the first lap, Perez fell back to the bottom of the field.

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The biggest unlucky person of the day was Russell, who looked like the sure winner for a long time and then only finished ninth.

It was only on Wednesday that the 22-year-old had his Williams team approved for the Mercedes, overtook team mate Valtteri Bottas at the start and led the race for a long time with a brilliant performance.

But then everything went wrong with a pit stop during a safety car phase at Mercedes.

“I'm frustrated, absolutely frustrated.

Thank you for giving me this chance, ”Russell radioed before crouching sadly at the side of the track.

Now he has to hope that he can represent Hamilton again at the final in Abu Dhabi next Sunday.

It is uncertain whether the superstar, who has already been crowned world champion, will be fit again after his positive corona tests.

“If he has a negative test, he'll drive.

If not, it's George, ”said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff at Sky.

One week after Romain Grosjean's shocking fire accident, Formula 1 prepared for another spectacle at the same location.

The French Haas driver, who survived the horror crash with burns on the back of his hand, will no longer drive this year.

As a lesson from the events, the world association had tightened the safety measures in some areas of the route.

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And yet the safety car had to be deployed again shortly after the start.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc raced too optimistically into the corner and crashed into Perez's Racing Point.

During the evasive maneuver, Max Verstappen slipped into the limit, for the Dutchman and Leclerc the working day was over.

"I would say it was bad luck," said Leclerc.

Verstappen, meanwhile, said: "Charles was way too aggressive, he braked way too late."

At the top there was already a Hamilton representative, Russell.

On the outer track of the Bahrain International Circuit, which is only 3.543 kilometers long and was used for the first time by Formula 1, he kept his Mercedes rival Bottas at a clear distance.

Meanwhile, Ferrari star Vettel was stuck in midfield, as so often this year.

The Hessian hadn't got going during training and his engine had to be replaced due to a technical problem.

To make matters worse, his mechanics failed at both pit stops, which cost the 33-year-old valuable seconds.

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Things were even worse at Mercedes.

Because Russell's Williams representative Jack Aitken lost his front wing, the safety car came out again.

Mercedes called both drivers to change tires for the second time because their lead was very large.

But the mechanics got mixed up with the tires, took them forever to stop Bottas and even had to call Russell to the garage again because the tires were swapped.

Suddenly, Perez was leading the race ahead of Ocon and Stroll.

Bottas was now fourth, ahead of angry Russell.

"You should have a tire advantage," radioed the Mercedes command post.

Russell replied, "I damn well hope so."

And indeed: when the track was clear again, Russell immediately grabbed Bottas, then Stroll and Ocon.

But shortly afterwards the disappointment: Flat tires, end of all hopes.

That cleared the way for Perez.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201206-99-594621 / 5

Information about the route

World Federation information

Mercedes message to Russell