Oracle Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez might have had other things on his mind going into this weekend, with the penultimate Grand Prix on the 2022 calendar taking place in São Paulo, Brazil.
But that didn’t stop him from dishing out a bad beat in a charity tournament against PokerStars Ambassador Ramon Colillas — on the very first hand of the tournament!
Red Spade Pass Weekend in Brazil
To celebrate the ongoing partnership between PokerStars and Oracle Red Bull Racing, selected media, players, celebrities, and all-important Red Spade Pass winners were invited to Sao Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix.
As well as an exclusive Grand Prix experience, there was still some time for some poker with PokerStars Ambassadors Steve Enriquez, Rafael Moraes and of course, Colillas.
Joining them at the tables were PokerStars Ambassador Ronaldo and Perez, who took time away from his busy schedule to take part in the tournament that raised money for Wings For Life, a not-for-profit spinal cord research foundation and official charity partner of Oracle Red Bull Racing.
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First Hand Bustout for Colillas
On the very first hand of the tournament, Perez and Colillas went head-to-head with the Mexican coming out on top.
Colillas bet flop, bet turn and then shoved the river on a 
board with Perez calling to put the 2019 PokerStars Players Championship winner to the test.
Colillas turned over 
for a flopped two pair, but was sent to the rail as the very first elimination of the tournament after Perez showed 
for a better two pair.
Having played poker since he was younger, Perez told PokerNews he enjoyed playing poker a lot, especially while with his friends.
“When I’m in Mexico we get together once a week and we just have a good time. It’s always nice when you win!”
“It’s always nice when you win!”
With confidence behind the wheel and good mental strength when it comes to strategy and tactics, Perez said that poker players and Formula One drivers share a lot of common ground — especially when it comes to emotion.
“With poker you never know what your opponent is going to be like,” he said. “It’s important not to show too much emotion, or maybe show them when you need to have more head than heart. There are drivers who can be very emotional, but maybe sometimes it’s good to show emotions.
What an amazing night with @redbullracing! # Thanks to @SChecoPerez, @Ronaldo, and everyone who played our Charity… https://t.co/k9Pml9T6HW
“Kimi [Raikkonen] would be a good poker player because he’s so cold, you just can’t see his emotions. Sebastian [Vettel] for the same reason. I know Fernando [Alonso] plays a lot of poker as well. And maybe Lance [Stroll] because he wouldn’t mind losing money!”
Epic Scenes as Formula 1 Car Drives Through Vegas Casino
Wessman Triumphs; Ronaldo Makes Final Table
The early elimination saw Perez quickly double his starting stack, but although he would exit a short while later, there was better news for Ronaldo who made it all the way to the final table.
However, in the end it was a familiar face to PokerNews who emerged triumphant, with Viktor Wessman taking home a Mont Blanc smartwatch, $500 to spend in PokerStars Store and a one-of-a-kind trophy.
Wessman punched his ticket to Sao Paulo back at EPT Barcelona, winning a coveted Red Spade Pass in the Mystery Bounty tournament. And although this wasn’t a poker trip for Wessman, he said that the Charity Tournament was “right up his alley”.
“I know a thing or two about poker,” he told PokerNews. “I was counting down the days until this trip for two months, and now I’m here it’s absolutely amazing.”
Wessman like all the other Red Spade Pass winners has been enjoying exclusive access to epic Grand Prix experiences in the pit lane and Oracle Red Bull Racing garages while at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, better known as Interlagos. And he’s looking forward to the Main Event.
“Of course it’s on Sunday! Just like in poker, the Main Event everyone looks forward to is on Sunday. Winning the tournament was the perfect start, but from here every day is just going to get better.”
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Executive Editor E.U.
Will Shillibier is based in the United Kingdom. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German, and then studied for a NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism at Sportsbeat in Manchester. He previously worked as a freelance live reporter, and video presenter for the World Poker Tour.