Sergio “Checo” Pérez had a greater passion than car racing when he was a child, soccer. He dreamed of becoming a player for his team, América. However, his goal was frustrated when he understood that his talent was to be a driver, something that was proven by becoming the winningest Mexican in Formula 1.
“I saw myself playing in América I thought I would never have the opportunity to get to Formula 1. I thought I had a future in football, but I quickly found out that I didn’t. There is no child who does not feel that he is the best footballer in the world”, explained the driver, who won the Monaco Grand Prix this Sunday, in an interview with his team, Red Bull.
The triumph in the Principality made Pérez the Mexican with the most victories in the history of the Great Circus, reaching three in his career and surpassing Pedro Rodríguez, who won two.
With 12 years, football was close to Pérez leaving motorsports forever. And it is that he decided to go to the match between the Águilas del América and the Chivas de Guadalajara, the Liga MX classic, instead of going to the final of a karting championship.
Checo was favorite to win the Shifters 80 cc, which was run in his native Guadalajara; but, instead, he attended to see a victory of the team of his loves. As a consequence, his father sold his karts.
The loss of one of his first cars was a good punishment for Sergio to resume his racing career. At 15 years of age, he began a journey through Europe, which this Sunday elevated him to the highest position on the podium in Monaco.
“It is a dream come true. As a driver, you always dream of winning here. After the home grand prix, there is no more special weekend“, he explained, after getting his first victory in Monaco.
Checo’s first places in F1 are shared in Sakhir in 2020, when he was in the Racing Point team; Azerbaijan in 2021 and Monaco, the latter two with Red Bull. Rodríguez achieved his victories in 125, in South Africa, with the Cooper team; and in 1970 in Belgium, with BRM.
Pérez ranks third in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship with 110 points, behind the Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), second with 110 units; and the leader, his teammate at Red Bull, the Dutchman Max Verstappen, with 125.
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