• Malaysian Grand Prix

I lost the race - Perez

Sergio Perez had closed on Fernando Alonso in the second half of the race © Getty Images

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• Report:
• Alonso holds off Perez in enthralling race
  

• Race:
• Malaysian Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Sergio Perez

• Teams:
• Alfa Romeo

Sergio Perez admitted that he should have won the Malaysian Grand Prix if it wasn't for a mistake he made when catching Fernando Alonso.

As the track dried Perez was reeling in Alonso at the front, but dropped seven seconds behind when he pitted a lap later than the Ferrari for slick tyres. In dry conditions the Sauber was even quicker, however, and he soon erased the gap again. Having been told by the team not to throw away his second place Perez ran wide at turn 13 and dropped over five seconds behind Alonso with six laps left.

Perez was unable to close the gap in the time that remained, and when asked if he felt he should have won the race he replied: "I think so, I definitely think so.

"I was catching Fernando towards the end of the race," Perez said. "I knew I had to get him soon because in the sectors with high speed corners I was already losing the front tyres with a lot of degradation going behind Fernando so it was not easy. Then I ran wide in the left handed quick corner, I touched the kerb and I went on to the dirty side, it was completely wet and I lost the win probably. It was very difficult obviously to get Fernando but I think today the win was possible."

Despite the disappointment of his error, Perez praised his team for making the most of the opportunities presented by the changeable weather conditions.

"I have to say the team has done an incredible job; they always called me in at the right time especially at the first pit stop we did it was really at the right moment. Unfortunately Fernando pitted one lap earlier than us towards the end of the race when the track was already dry and he opened some gap there, but even then we managed to get him. The pace was fantastic, I was really quick. I have to say many thanks to the team, they have done a great job and I'm really happy for them."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.