They say that nothing is the product of chance, but what a coincidence in times. the occasion that Sergio “Checo” Perez decided to change his helmet in honor of the legendary Mexican midfielder Pedro Rodriguezthat day, in the Monaco Grand Prixthe one of Net bulHe took the baton as the best representative of Mexico in the World Cup.
Czech set a new record that took 52 years to overcome. Pedro had planted the flag with two victories in the Formula 1. In 1967 (in South Africa with the Cooper Car Company team) and in 1970 (in Belgium with Yardley Team BRM).
On a rainy day that made the circuit difficult, the bad memories that it brought to Checo Pérez were erased, because in 2011 after a crash when he was competing with the Sauber identity he was ruled out for the next date, in Canada and replaced by Pedro de la Rosa .
In 2016 the panorama improved, he climbed to the podium in third place celebrating for Force India. Six years later Czech he does not contain his tears when listening to the national anthem, he clenches his victorious fists, his eyes, his lips. She is overflowing with feelings.
The dream has come true and his record continues to grow, three podiums in the Formula 1nine with the team and 19 so far in his career in the maximum circuit.
“(The victory) is a dream come true. As a driver you dream of winning here. After the race at home, there is no other more special than in Monaco. (I had to deal with) tire degradation, not making mistakes and keeping Carlos (Sainz) at bay was not easy. It is a great day for me and for my country”, commented the pilot of Red Bullthird in the drivers’ championship (110 points) behind charles leclerc (116) and Max Verstappen (125).
With this result, Czech He exceeded 1,000 points in F1, adding 1,006 units. And he became the new king of Monaco, as he has stood on the podium three times, two wins (2010 and 2022) and one podium (third place in 2016 with Force India).
A race that had its setbacks due to the weather. On lap 27 Mike Schumacher he hit very hard at the chicane of the track, with a destroyed car, which caused the safety car to come out. After the restart, Checo and Max mounted new medium tires, and after lap 35 the clock was started to finish the competition by time. The positions at that time: Czech, sainz, Max Y Leclerc.
15 minutes from the end, Sainz began to put pressure on him but already four tenths behind the Mexican with 10 minutes remaining in the race. However, Sergio Pérez held on to take victory in Monaco.
“Checo was phenomenal all weekend. Strategically I don’t think we had the fastest car today, but we made it work,” said Horner. The Mexican swept through free practice, but had a problem in the final round of qualifying that caused him to lose the stability of the car and crash. “Let’s go! Well done. I’m really sorry for yesterday, but I told you there was going to be champagne today,” Checo told his team over the radio.
At the end of the 2022 season, his contract with Red Bull, unless you are offered an extension. By far, Checo already showed wood, perseverance and has been Max Verstappen’s best teammate, maintaining dominance of the Austrian team in the constructors’ championship, so far this season, with 235 points.