Pérez's father reveals his ambitious plans for F1 glory
Mar.10 - Sergio Pérez has no intention of settling for second best in Formula 1, his father Antonio insists.
With back-to-back reigning world champion Max Verstappen riding high at Red Bull, some say it's obvious that Mexican Perez is the ideal 'number 2'.
Not so, according to father Antonio.
"We will have a Formula 1 champion from Mexico," he told the major Mexican newspaper Esto.
"He said it since he was a child - 'I will not return to Mexico until I am world champion'."
Perez, 33, has been on the grid since 2011, and has won four grands prix - all but one of them in a Red Bull.
Sergio Pérez
Faced with the image of Perez as a solid and mature supporting teammate for Verstappen, his father Antonio insists: "From now on, his career begins.
"We have to erase all these years that have passed because he never had the opportunity to fight like he is going to fight now. We are going to start to see the best of Checo Perez. He still has a lot to give," he said.
Antonio Perez also claims he is involved with negotiations for a possible second Mexican GP in Cancun.
"Last week I had a meeting with Mexican businessmen," he revealed. "We already have the letters of intent prepared and I think we will be presenting in mid-July where it will be, the circuit, so that the work can begin.
"Today it is 60 percent viable," Perez snr added. "The most important part is that the FIA and Formula 1 have already opened the doors for me and accepted it."
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He officially resides in Mexico, so technically, he has returned despite not being a world champion, which is unlikely anyway, as he's in the right team at the wrong time, a la Barrichello.
Regarding a possible second Mexico event in Cancun, we'll see, but probably not in the short term, if at all.
He is disturbing the "state of mind" of his son. Checo has to perform, yes but he has to perform to the liking of his team. They want to win championships and they need to beat their rivalteams. They will decide the strategy ofcourse and certainly not father Perez!
Checo is as quick or quicker than Max at times, as was both Barrichello and Massa were to Schumacher but Max is now as Schumacher was then always consistently the quickest in the race with unmatched race craft in their times. As long as he is teamed with Max I think that it is unlikely that Checo can win the championship. Checo struggles to get the most out of the car when the car is not optimum. Max seems to be able to adjust and go quick even when the car is not cooperating
That’s the difference between good drivers and great ones. Checo is a very good driver but he is not consistent. The added pressure from his dad is not helpful. Maybe Dad should back off and let his son do bid job.
Dream on, Antonio! Your son is a good number 2 driver at best. WDC, no chance in the current field. He has the car, however, the other side of the garage will always have the edge.
As for a second Mexican F1 race, another pipe dream! Plenty of countries with very suitable circuits and no chance of getting a race ~ France and Germany are two good examples! Liberty prefer the Middle East and United States to host multiple races.
"He said it since he was a child - 'I will not return to Mexico until I am world champion'."
I love Checo, but if he is true to his word I hope that he has a place in Monaco with the rest of the ex-F1 drivers.