Sunday Showing Doesn't Dampen 'Checo' Fan Spirit Jazmine Ulloa - Statesman.com
go to original November 19, 2012

Sauber driver Sergio Pérez of Mexico gives a thumbs up during the drivers parade prior to the start of the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas Sunday. (Luca Bruno)

Sergio “Checo” Pérez fell just short of the top 10 Sunday at the U.S. Grand Prix, despite a lot of hype and optimism that he could make it to the Formula One podium.

The Mexican crowd favorite took 11th place, after starting at 15th, telling reporters after his run that troubles with his brakes kept him from a better standing.

But his performance did not disappoint many of his supporters, who came out to Circuit of the Americas by the thousands and formed one of the largest fan bases at a race traditionally known for its European following.

From the stands Sunday, they chanted and cheered the Sauber team driver on. Some draped Mexican flags around their shoulders. Others donned luchador masks and sombreros. Even Mexican President Felipe Calderón was in attendance.

After it was all over, “Checo” aficionados said the young driver did the best he could and had a bright future in the sport.

This is one of his last races with the Sauber team for the 22-year-old Pérez, who is a sophomore in the elite division of the motorsport. Next year, he will take U.S. Grand Prix champion Lewis Hamilton’s place on team McLaren, one of the top teams of Formula One.

Such teams “have much better cars with much better technology,” said Rodolfo Diaz de Leon, a 52-year-old Mexican businessman who traveled to Austin from San Luis Potosí with about a dozen friends and relatives. Still, Diaz de Leon said, “Pérez did excellent with the car he had, and we know he will be much more successful in the future.”

Other fans said the jump to a bigger team has made Pérez somewhat inconsistent lately. “He is a good driver, but his mind is already on next year,” said Bernardo Rodriguez, 26, of Mexico City. “He is in transition.”

Martin Whitmarsh, team principal of McLaren, said he does not have any concerns about Pérez’s inexperience.

“He’s really the hottest young talent in Formula One,” Whitmarsh said. “He’s shown in the last two years he’s got some flashes of brilliance, and the challenge for us is to now polish that diamond to make sure he can be a race winner and a championship contender next year.”

After the race, Pérez said he was making good time in early laps but his brakes gave him trouble after a sharp swerve on Turn 12.

“It’s a shame because I had such a good opportunity,” said Pérez, who climbed to the seventh position in his strongest showing. He said he considered dropping out. “In the end, we made the final decision to keep going to give people a good race.”

The best part of the U.S. Grand Prix, Pérez said, has been the throngs of supporters who made the trip to Austin. “Fans have filled the stands, and I know many of them have made great efforts to be here,” he said. “I hope they have enjoyed their time.”

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