• Japanese Grand Prix

Unwell Perez delighted with points

Sergio Perez had to climb through the field having started 17th © Sutton Images

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• Report:
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• Race:
• Japanese Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Sergio Perez

• Teams:
• Alfa Romeo

Sergio Perez said he was "very happy" to score points in the Japanese Grand Prix having suffered from flu all weekend.

Perez had a tough qualifying which prevented him from setting a lap time in Q2, leaving him starting 17th on the grid. However, an effective two-stop strategy having started on the medium tyre allowed Perez to climb through the field to secure the back-to-back points finishes for the first time this season. Perez said that the strategy and the updated car were the keys to his result.

"I am very happy for the team to have scored some points here in Japan, especially after we had that technical problem yesterday in qualifying and I had to start 17th," Perez said. "But today the strategy with the tyres worked out very well for me, and the team did a very good job on this. "Also the car's performance was good. I pushed very hard, and gave my maximum today. Physically it was very hard for me because I am suffering from flu, so I'm totally happy that I brought the car home in a position good enough to score points." Team principal Peter Sauber called Perez's drive "brilliant" and said that he was pleased that the car had improved.

"Sergio drove a brilliant race. Starting from 17th and finishing eighth says it all. He was aggressive and consistent at the same time. His result also proves that we made a clear step forward with our car, which is important for the upcoming races."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.