Apart from a mistake which allowed Sergio Perez to overtake him in the race, the Scuderia driver has little to reproach himself for. Overtaken by his teammate Carlos Sainz, who was more upbeat on the 46th lap, the Monegasque retains a bitter feeling from his Japanese weekend. Fourth off the podium, his performance was nevertheless recognized with the title of driver of the day.
“If we look at today we did an excellent job,” he said at the microphone of Canal. “Afterwards of course, disappointed to only start 8th today but I can only blame myself,” he concedes. If I was happy with 4th place, I should stay home”. He will have the opportunity to make up for it in two weeks on the Shanghai circuit.