'I wanted more, I wanted to win' admits Perez after making history with Mexico City podium

Not only did we witness Max Verstappen take a ninth win of the season by dominating on Sunday, his team mate Sergio Perez made history in the Mexico City Grand Prix. Being an F1 driver, though, the Mexican said he wasn’t content with his result…

Perez became the first-ever Mexican to finish on the podium and lead a lap in their home race, but missed out on securing a one-two for Red Bull as he finished just over a second away from Lewis Hamilton in third at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

READ MORE: 'It can turn around very quickly' – Verstappen insists he’s not thinking of the title despite dominant win in Mexico

Perez's family were on hand to witness him send the home crowd into raptures while his father joined in with the team celebrations on the podium as he recalled an “extremely special” day.

“Yes, definitely, being at your podium in your home Grand Prix is something very, very special,” began the home hero. “Obviously, I wanted more, wanted to win the race. obviously to finish one-two for the team would have been amazing, you know? But at the end of the day, we are [such] competitive persons, that if we finish third we really don’t enjoy it.

“But today is one of those days that I must enjoy because the crowd and just seeing so many people happy – and especially on the podium because everybody that has been with me pretty much from day one was on the podium. So that was extremely special for me,” he added.

Perhaps one more lap, as Hamilton suggested in the post-race press confernece, and Perez could have finished second in the race.

“Yes, it was really close, as Lewis said, there was a lap where it was so critical to do the undercut. Obviously, they pitted that lap, so we did the opposite and we went long,” said Perez.

READ MORE: Mexico polesitter Bottas laments ‘very tricky’ afternoon after race-ruining first lap contact with Ricciardo

“It was a bit tricky with the lapped cars as well – I think I reckon we all lost some time there – it was really close. I didn’t have a chance; overtaking here is really difficult given their straight line speed that they were really strong on that. It was just that I had the chance. Bit of as shame, because I think we had the pace to finish one-two today."

But the home crowd made this a day to remember as the fan-voted Driver of the Day added: “Still, I gave my full heart for these people. I could actually hear them when I was going through here. It was pretty enjoyable.”

DRIVER OF THE DAY: Perez gets your vote with popular home podium in Mexico