“We can have another strong Mexican on the grid” – Sergio Perez hopes his victory at Sakhir will assist in motivating the new generation of Mexicans to take up F1.
Sergio Perez has had a rollercoaster ride this season in Formula 1. The Mexican is the longest-serving and most successful driver of the Force India – Racing Point outfit. Crucially, he was also responsible for keeping the team alive when it was going through a terrible phase financially.
Despite all this, and being better than his current partner Lance Stroll, Perez has been shown the door for next season to being in Sebastian Vettel. But that did not deter Perez’s resolve to win his first-ever F1 race at Sakhir, Bahrain. The last time a Mexican won an F1 race was Pedro Rodriguez in the 1970 Belgian GP. Perez spoke about the legacy Pedro has in Mexico and his death at a very young age.
“Obviously I know a bit about Pedro. (I have) never been able to share experiences with any Formula 1 driver in terms of winning or being on the podium and so on because Pedro (drove) many years ago.”
“I heard that he had tremendous talent. Obviously, that was another era but all I’ve heard about the talent that he had was very special. Unfortunately, he died at a very young age but it’s good, it’s good to have good memories.”
Sergio Perez hopeful of another strong Mexican in F1
Sergio Perez is a hero in Mexico, and arguably one of their greatest sportspersons. There was a huge outcry when Sergio Perez was dropped for next season by Racing Point. And now that he has won, there is jubilation all around in the country. Perez hopes this will lead to another Mexican coming and making a name for himself and Mexico in F1.
“We are leaving good marks in the sport for Mexicans. It’s not easy to get into Formula 1 and succeed in this sport so it’s important to leave a mark and hopefully, in the near term, we can have another strong Mexican on the grid.”
“It’s been very difficult for all the world, so to have this kind of happiness in the homes for many Mexicans means a lot to me, for my family, just such a tremendous day, a historic day in our sport. I’m just very pleased.”
Also read: Sergio Perez- “The best drivers are not in Formula 1 unfortunately”
