Belgian Grand prix: Plucky Sergio Perez delivers season best finish for Force India

Spa, Belgium: Sergio Perez fought till the end of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix to give Force India a season best fifth place finish at the Spa-Franchorchamps Circuit here on Sunday.

Perez, who started on the second row for the first time this season, had to do a lot of work to finish a place lower than his grid position in the eventful 43-lap race.

Perez's teammate Nico Hulkenberg could not start the race from 11th on the grid due to loss of power.

"Great drive by Checo Perez to finish 5th. Disappointed that Nico could not start due to a turbo problem. Was looking forward to double points," tweeted team principal Vijay Mallya minutes after the race.

The Mexican's fighting effort earned him 10 points and was a welcome result for Force India after both their cars suffered retirement in the last round in Hungary.

Perez made a great start, moving two places to be second behind poleman Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap.

He had to keep multiple drivers at bay during the course of the race.

On the penultimate lap, Perez was overtaken by Daniil Kvyat who was on fresher tyres on the Red Bull to lie in sixth place with Felipe Massa chasing him fast in the Williams. However, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel suffered a dramatic tyre blowout while running third, helping Perez gain a place to come home in fifth place.