A maiden win in F1 is the culmination of a driver's aspirations, regardless of when it occurs in one's career.
But when the milestone achievement is preceded by those grassroots efforts that spur on a dream, that convince one to endure the years of trials and tribulations, the hardship and doubt, feelings of relief and appeasement take hold.
In the aftermath of his shock win earlier this year in the Italian GP, AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly sat head down, alone on the Monza podium, mulling the whirlwind of emotions and thoughts that rushed through his memory and mind during that precious moment.
On Sunday evening, an overwhelmed Sergio Perez mimicked the same pensive posture as he struggled to realise his long-overdue accomplishment in Bahrain.
There's definitely something special about that maiden win mood…
