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Racing Point’s Sergio Pérez vowed to find a way to extend his Formula 1 career after claiming his first Sakhir Grand Prix victory.
The Mexican has no contract for next season and his only chance to drive is if Red Bull selects him for his second seat.
“After today, I am determined to be here,” said Pérez, 30.
“My best option is to move on next year, but if I have to stop it it’s not a disaster, I can come back in 2022.”
Pérez’s team decided to replace him for 2021 with four-time champion Sebastian Vettel after the German was eliminated by Ferrari. The other car is occupied by Lance Stroll, son of the billionaire owner of Racing Point, Lawrence Stroll.
Pérez, who made his F1 debut in 2011, said that victory in his 190th grand prix “gives me a little more peace with myself. What happens is not so much in my hands. I want to move on.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said the team will not decide whether to keep British-Thai driver Alex Albon alongside Max Verstappen next year until after the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi next weekend.
Albon had a disappointing weekend in Bahrain, qualifying 12th and finishing sixth. German Nico Hulkenberg is also a potential candidate for the seat.
Pérez’s victory came after exceptional driving in which he was demoted to the rear of the field when Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc crashed into him on the first lap.
Perez fought back on the field and in the final stages profited from a Mercedes pit lane error that left his drivers George Russell and Valtteri Bottas out of first and second place.
Russell, replacing Lewis Hamilton after the world champion contracted the coronavirus, was trying to chase Perez in the closing laps when he suffered a puncture.
Perez said: “I’m a bit surprised, to be honest. I can’t find the words. I’m a bit in limbo right now.
“As a pilot you dream for this time, to be in this position, for so many years. I worked my whole life for a moment like this. To finally achieve it … It’s hard to digest. I think it will take a couple of days, but it’s something incredible.” .
He is the first Mexican to win a race for the F1 world championship since Pedro Rodríguez triumphed at the Belgian Grand Prix in 1970.
Pérez draws large crowds to his home race, which was canceled this year as a result of the pandemic, and said he hoped his victory would be treated with joy at home.
“It means a lot, a lot to me, especially this year,” he said. “It has been very difficult for everyone, so having this kind of happiness in the homes of many Mexicans means a lot to me, to my family, it means … such a tremendous day, a historic day in our sport.
“I am very happy, you know. You have seen the amount of support I receive in my country. Can you imagine what it is like right now?
“It’s going to be incredible. Usually the races are like six in the morning, seven in the morning. This is a Sunday at 11 and I’m sure they’ll be having some good half-time tequilas by now.” from the country!”
Renault’s Esteban Ocon, who achieved a first podium finish by finishing second in Bahrain, said Pérez deserved to stay in F1.
Ocon, who was Perez’s teammate in 2017 and 2018, said: “I’m glad Sergio is obviously getting the result, you know? To show everyone that he deserves to be in Formula 1.”
“He’s one of the best players and you can’t leave him out. No … it wouldn’t be normal. But sometimes the sport is like that, unfortunately, and you don’t end up in the best situations.”
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