06 March 2023 , 08:21
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Sergio Perez had Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen laughing hysterically after taking an amusing post-race swipe at Aston Martin.
In Sunday's season opening Grand Prix in Bahrain, it was Verstappen who led the Mexican home in a one-two for Christian Horner's team, but Fernando Alonso stole the limelight with his third placed finish. Aston Martin partner Lance Stroll was sixth, as the British team sent out a warning that they could be surprise challengers this year.
Much of their turnaround has been credited to the arrival of technical director Dan Fallows, who moved over from Red Bull in 2022. But cynics have also insinuated that the designs of the current AMR23 cars is very much based on the Constructors' champions.
Indeed, Horner took aim after the race, praising Alonso's display but adding : "Based on one race, you'd have to say they (Aston Martin) were the second strongest here. They've obviously done a good job over the winter. They say imitation is the biggest form of flattery and, you know, it's good to see the old car doing so well."
And when the three podium finishers faced the media afterwards, Perez also couldn't resist a dig, saying: “It’s nice to see three Red Bull cars on the podium." The quip had Verstappen bending over as he struggled to contain his laughter.
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Alonso secured an excellent podium in Bahrain (AP)Alonso, 41, also saw the funny side, whilst there was widespread chuckling from the journalists too. But Perez wasn't done there, piping up again when one reporter said he had a question for Fernando and the Red Bull drivers.
“We are all Red Bull drivers” he joked, again prompting smiles from the other two drivers. But the Spanish icon wasn't rattled, lauding what has only his second top-three finish in eight years: "It's amazing for the team," he said. "It was a great weekend and finishing on the podium in the first race of the year is just amazing."
Max Verstappen led the Bahrain Grand Prix from start to finish (Getty Images)Alonso's display can be considered yet more remarkable given he dropped from fifth to seventh on the opening lap, after colliding with teammate Stroll. But he rolled back the years in the closing stages, pulling off sublime overtakes of Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz, and also benefiting from the late retirement of Charles Leclerc.
Aston Martin boss Lance Stroll has never made any secret of his desire to have drivers fighting for the title long-term. Last year, construction began on a new factory and campus that will see a brand-new wind tunnel and simulator built for the team.