Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 29, 2022 Red Bull’s Sergio Perez celebrates after winning the REUTERS / Benoit Tessier race
MONACO – Sergio Perez celebrated his dream win at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday and made history as Mexico’s most successful Formula 1 driver of all time.
The 32-year-old now has three career victories, one more than the late Pedro Rodriguez in the 1960s and 70s, but the latest success is his first crowning in Europe and at an international competition. in the historic laps of this sport.
Perez’s two previous wins were in Azerbaijan, with Red Bull last year, and in Bahrain in 2020 with Aston Martin predecessors Racing Point.
The Mexican is also the first Mexican to conquer the streets of Monaco, one of the races every driver aspires to win, and the first Latin American driver since Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya in 2003.
A sweet, sweet victory for Checo #MonacoGP # F1 pic.twitter.com/ZbnjugmrCu
– Formula 1 (@ F1) May 29, 2022
“Winning Monaco is a dream come true as a racer,” he said.
“When you come to Formula One and when you go to Monaco and drive it for the first time, you always dream of winning a race one day.
“Unbelievable, such a big day for myself. I drove with Pedro Rodriguez’s helmet today and I’m sure he will be very proud of what we have achieved in this sport. ”
Mexico has just six Formula One drivers and Perez and Rodriguez are the only winners.
Perez started in third on the grid, behind Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari, but a strategic bump on the pitstops and a bit of “pop” made all the difference.
Nothing can be taken for granted in Monaco, where going a few millimeters wide could spell disaster on a metal-fenced track, but Perez made no mistake when he was overtaken by Sainz on the final lap. .
He crashed in Saturday’s qualifying at the end of the session, but Formula One’s fortunes can change quickly.
“I’m a big fan of my sport,” said Perez. “So definitely know what it means to win a race like this. I mean, they’re all very important, but this is definitely special. And it’s very, very high on the list for my country.
“I’m the only Mexican, or even Latin American, driving on the grid,” he added.
“So it just shows how difficult it is for us… to get into the sport and have a successful career in the sport. It was quite hard work, but I have to say I’m incredibly proud of it.”
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