Pro ShotsSergio Pérez in Mexico-Stad
NOS Sport•vandaag, 12:34
-
Louis Decker
reporter Formula 1 in Mexico
-
Louis Decker
reporter Formula 1 in Mexico
Finally the high word came out. “It’s a terrible season for me. Suffering. I’m having a really hard time.” On the eve of his home race, in Mexico, Sergio Pérez shows his soul. Max Verstappen‘s teammate’s season at Red Bull Racing turns out to be a flop.
“It’s difficult, but I try to recharge every weekend. That has always been my strength: to recover after a dip and bounce back. I never give up, but this year is extremely difficult.”
The statistics are downright painful. While world champion Verstappen proudly leads the title race with 354 World Cup points, ‘Checo’ is eighth with 150 points.
NOS
The 34-year-old Mexican is the only driver of the top teams Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes who has not yet won a race this year. Pérez may be a six-time GP winner, but his last victory? That was a year and a half ago, in Azerbaijan.
And then to make matters worse, he is constantly confronted with the disastrous race in 2023 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez, the circuit in Mexico City.
Low point
“One of the low points in my career. I would prefer to forget that day.” Pérez had a rocket start from fifth position, but eliminated himself due to a failed overtaking maneuver on Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
The result: zero points, tears in the stands, whistle concerts for Leclerc and a dream shattered. Pérez was over-enthusiastic, he now admits. “I really wanted to win. I didn’t think a podium place was enough. I had already achieved that in 2021 and 2022.”
Tsunoda will test for Red Bull
Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda tests in a Red Bull car at the end of the season. Team boss Christian Horner of the racing stable of world champion Max Verstappen has announced the test of the Japanese.
Tsunoda drives for Visa Cash App RB, Red Bull’s sister team. Engine supplier Honda had insisted on the test for the Japanese.
“This was my chance to win and I went for it. I don’t blame myself. I’m even proud. It was a daring, risky maneuver. Of course I should have been more patient and taken fewer risks, but that’s hindsight wisdom.”
Despite everything, the love for Pérez in the metropolis is still immense. Fans queue for hours in the wealthy Polanco neighborhood for one meet & greet and a signature. Mexico City is full of billboards with the smiling hero: Let’s go Czech!
- NOS/Louis DekkerA fan poses with a mini race car in front of a Sergio Pérez billboard
- NOS/Louis DekkerFans queue up in Mexico City for a meet & greet with Sergio Pérez
- NOS/Louis DekkerA fan of Sergio Pérez shows his message of support
“Very impressive. We travel so much in F1 that you forget how much support you get from your country.” Pérez tried to relax with a tradition: a game of football with sponsors and relations.
“We’ve been doing that here for about nine years. It was funny and confrontational. We started as fit youngsters and now everyone has injuries. We’re getting old!”
This weekend the Mexican is tempering expectations. No tough talk about a victory. “I hope that I can be at the front and will do everything to make my country cheerful and happy on Sunday and to reward my loyal fans with a podium place. That would be great.”
Pérez realizes that his stablemate will probably stay ahead of him again. Verstappen has already won five times Maxico and wrote the last three editions to his name.
Pérez has adjusted his target downwards, but he keeps it vague. “Give everything and achieve an optimal race result. If I succeed, I will leave the circuit satisfied.”
AFPSergio Perez
Winning would be a miracle, he realizes. “There are many things about the RB20 that we do not understand. The car is unpredictable and erratic. We have had problems setting it up properly all season. Then you make it very difficult for yourself and you always start at a disadvantage.”
Future Mexican GP
Perez’s crisis of form could have consequences for the future of the Mexican race. The F1 contract expires next year, but organizer and promoter Federico González is optimistic about an extension.
“We have a new mayor here. She understands the importance of the grand prix. The event ensures full hotels and is a huge boost for the economy.”
Gonzalez is not afraid that the fans will let him down. “The people are still behind Checo. We are sold out, even now that things are going less well. I do not participate in the gossip. Sergio has a continuous contract and I assume that he will drive here again next year.”
It’s an old F1 cliché: a driver who doesn’t feel comfortable is not fast. That fate has befallen Pérez all season. The Grand Prix in Texas last week rubbed some extra salt in the wound. “Austin wasn’t a good weekend. I had no confidence.”
The pressure on the Mexican is increasing, especially because his team Red Bull has been overtaken by McLaren in the lucrative World Championship for Constructors and sees Ferrari approaching.
His misses hurt the team sportingly and financially. “We are working hard on solutions. Things are going in the right direction, but sometimes results take a little longer.”
Staggering position
Pérez’s position is wavering. He has a continuous contract, but it also includes performance clauses with resolutive conditions. There is a chance that this will be his last home race. “You are only as good as your last race in F1,” says the veteran.
“We want to retain our title. Then both drivers have to perform optimally. I want to turn the tide here. Then my season can still turn in the right direction.”
“Of course I feel the pressure and it causes stress, but it is important to close myself off to the outside world. I focus on things that I have influence on and ignore the rest, such as the negative stories in the media. My job is in the cockpit.”
