Mexico collects two races that are as exciting as they are painful. Last year, Czech Perez He ended up crashing in the first corner in search of the lead in the race; This Sunday he sought to get out of a hole to rescue points or find an idyllic comeback. What he found was another setback at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, headquarters of the great Mexican festival and a temple of lamentation. Pérez finished in 17th position after trying to achieve a feat and ended up with a neck-to-neck fight with Liam Lawson, from the satellite team of red bull and who aspires to take away his seat. “It has been a complicated weekend, let’s say my worst Grand Prix. Last year I crashed arriving first. I have always said it: my dream is to win the GP in Mexico,” said a disheartened Pérez who was trying to hide his anger after the result. Carlos Sainz he took the win, followed by Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. Verstappen finished sixth.

At the start the Mexicans needed a stroke of luck. One of these enormous and unusual afternoons for an incident to allow Checo Pérez to climb the rankings after starting from 18th place. A favor of chance, something good for the team’s favorite boy Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome. In the first two corners there was an impact between Albon and Tsunoda and that seemed to light up the stands a little because it helped the Mexican reach 13th place. But the drama had to be present on the asphalt because the stewards began an investigation for a false start. “No, it was a great start,” the Mexican replied angrily over the radio. The automobile court sentenced him to a five-second punishment. The one from Guadalajara wanted to be a true fighter, like the design he had on his helmet this Sunday, although because he was daring he neglected that small detail of settling in well at the start.

Pérez was able to give his people passes on the track against Alonso and Stroll. When he found himself in front of Liam Lawsonof RB, the Mexican choked on the strategy. He pushed him to the limit, but the New Zealander didn’t give him any space. “What the hell is this idiot doing?” the Mexican replied. The battle has an intrastory because Lawson is one of the contenders for his place and is a future project for the energy drink team. The Red Bull received a blow to one of its sides that ended up affecting the rest of the race. “We had everything to move forward, but unfortunately the incident with Lawson came and that hurt us a lot. [Fue] totally unnecessary. He was off the track, I had made the maneuver in turn four and in turn five he stayed on the outside, crossed the curve on the outside and we had damage. He ruined my career, he ruined his, he did the same with Fernando [Alonso] in the last race. A shame because we could have added points,” said Pérez.

The Mexican went to change tires on lap 22, but already with a disadvantage of more than 20 seconds. His garage neighbor, Verstappen, was given a 20-second penalty for competing too aggressively against Norris. It was not a great afternoon for Red Bull. The Mexican could not get out of the bottom of the classification. He couldn’t do much with an injury in the car, except battle Lawson, a fight in the mud that ended with RB overtaking him. He had to make a second tire change to try to change his luck. The little he was able to achieve was to overcome a weak Guanyu Zhou of Kick Sauber. Pérez threw a poison dart over the radio when he was told there was debris on the track, “I guess it was the same idiot who crashed before,” he said, referring to Lawson. Pérez was asked to look for the fastest lap in the last two laps, although he could not snatch it from Charles Leclerc.

“[Lawson] He doesn’t understand. He is a guy who is coming to F1, maybe he brings too much pressure, wanting to bring prominence. Fernando tried to talk to him in Austin. “If he doesn’t learn, if he doesn’t open his mind, he will continue to do this type of maneuver that may cost him his contract next year,” said Pérez, who is once again the target of criticism due to his performance. “Leave [de México] with a lot of energy after all the support. The people who have given me too much. “I’m not going to give up for them,” he said.

Mexican hope

Israel López showed off his green jacket, a tone so incandescent that it could be seen from meters and meters away. On that garment he ironed all the logos of the brands that sponsor the Red Bull team, on the back the number 11 of the beloved driver, Checo Pérez, is printed. Normally, López watches the races at his restaurant, Tony Joe, alongside customers who have marveled at the world of Formula 1. “Our boom It was in 2021, thanks to Netflix for its series and that Checo has jumped to a great team. Checo is the great thermometer of mood: the restaurant fills up when he ranks among the first 10 places,” says this fan while waiting for the start of the Grand Prix.

Pérez had a terrible qualifying Saturday, which translated into a bad race. “What we have left is to support the Czech. He is our driver, in good times and bad, but above all: if you like racing, that’s how they are, it is normal that there are bad days. “Whoever doesn’t understand that really isn’t a fan,” says Israel López. “I follow the races daily, I think it has been a bad season for Checo. He has not been focused on his profession, he has been distracted. It happens to all of us as human beings. We will have to get back on track, he will go back to being the pilot he was until a year ago,” considered Mr. Ignacio Morales. “Seeing Checo Pérez out at the end of the season? It is not feasible. I think he is one of the drivers who has the greatest financial support and who brings a lot of economy to the team,” he adds.

Alberto Ramón, 51, missed Perez qualifying: good for the mood, bad for missing a day of the Mexican GP festival. “What bad luck! But you see that there was a Grand Prix, Sahkir’swhere he was in last place and won. We must not lose hope. We do not lose hope as Mexicans because we are fighters,” he says. Pérez’s last attempt at bravery ended in disappointment, although people tried to cope with it and celebrate Sainz’s triumph. The one who got the buzz was a Norris who is stalking the world championship.