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Edition

Australia

Sick Perez on intravenous drip before Malaysian GP

Sergio Perez was on an intravenous drip the night before Formula 1's Malaysian GP as he battled to overcome a virus he picked up in the build-up to the weekend.

Sergio Perez, Force India

Sergio Perez, Force India

Andrew Hone / Motorsport Images

Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India, #FuerzaMexico hashtag in support of the Mexico earthquake victims
Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India
Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India VJM10
Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India VJM10
Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India F1 VJM10
Esteban Ocon, Sahara Force India and Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India in parc ferme

Perez admitted he was facing a "massive" physical challenge in Sunday's race, having struggled to breathe during Friday practice, and he continued to feel unwell in qualifying.

Though he still felt under the weather on race day, he produced an impressive drive to finish sixth in one of the most physically demanding Grand Prix on the calendar.

"He didn't feel great," Force India chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer told Motorsport.com of Perez's condition on Sunday morning.

"I think this sickness is going around. He said after [the race] he wanted to stop but just kept going.

"He did what he had to and finished it. He said it was the hardest race of his career. I can understand why.

"It's not easy when you are feeling fit in this heat and humidity and when you're unfit its got to be really hard."

When asked if he expected Perez to back to full fitness for this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Szafnauer said: "Yes. He will be OK. He's a tough racing driver."

Perez said there were occasions during the race weekend when he felt so bad, he thought he might have to pull out.

"It's a nice result, also just to make it to the finish line," he said. "At some points I thought I'd had to give up on the weekend, given my condition.

"I just kept going out of willingness to do it and I have to thank the doctors for helping me out. So I'm just happy that I finally made it to the end and I got some good points for the team.

"I hope to be back to full fitness in Japan."

Deputy team principal Bob Fernley added: "Sergio drove a pretty much perfect race, despite being unwell. Sixth place is a wonderful reward for his perseverance over the weekend."

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Edition

Australia