THE SPEED DEMON

Sergio "Checo" Perez, the marvel from Mexico, talks about his steady rise to the top of the F1 grid

- NICOLAS STECHER

Just three years ago Sergio Perez was on the cusp of losing his seat on the Formula One grid. Beloved in Mexico, and most fervently in his hometown of Guadalajara, the world whispered that 2020 could be his last in the apex motorsport. Then came the Sakhir Grand Prix, where "Checo" miraculously climbed from last place on the grid to first, securing his first checkered flag for Racing Point-and also breaking the record for the most F1 starts (190) before notching a win. It was the stuff of Disney movies and schoolboy dreams.

Steadiness, determination, patience and a fiery passion to win are what defines the career of Sergio Perez. That off-season Red Bull Racing's Christian Horner announced they were picking him up to match with Max Verstappen, and the rest has been a history of podiums-five in 2021 (including a victory in Azerbaijan) and a stunning II in 2022 (while capturing victories in both Monaco and Singapore). And 2023 is going even stronger for Perez, after he captured his second checkered flag in Baku-also winning the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix and podiuming in Miami and Bahrain.

As of press time he stands only 40 points back from teammate, current and two-time World Champion Max Verstappen; a 2023 Drivers Championship is very much in play. We sat down with the beloved Mexican driver to discuss his long road to the top, his favorite things to do in Guadalajara, and what it's like to race every day for RBR alongside Verstappen.

Mexico doesn't boast a robust racing ecosystem like Europe or the United States. What were the challenges stemming from that?