One of Mexico's most famous athletes, Red Bull driver Sergio Pérez talks us through the must-see places in the capital ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix. In 2015, the Mexican Grand Prix made a triumphant return to Formula 1 after a 23-year absence. For Sergio "Checo" Pérez , victory was particularly sweet.
While born and raised in Guadalajara, Pérez's status as the most successful Grand Prix driver in Mexican history has made him a beloved figure across the country. Growing up, though, Pérez tells BBC Travel that Formula 1 was not very popular in Mexico: "Normal people had no idea what Formula 1 was. Even finding it on television was really difficult.
" Since his father, Antonio Pérez Garibay , was a stock car racing driver who competed in the Nascar Mexico series, Pérez was exposed to motor racing from a young age. "I grew up with motorsport in my blood," he says. "My target was actually IndyCar when I was growing up.
Formula 1 seemed too far away. It was never clear if I'd get the opportunity." Pérez's karting performances in Mexico and then the United States took his burgeoning career to Europe, and after excelling in Formula 3 and GP2 he became sought after by Formula 1 teams.
Since making his debut, he's helped to grow Formula 1 exponentially around Mexico . "The atmosphere in Mexico now is incredible," he says. "People follow it a lot.
The interest is just massive around Mexico." But while his Formula 1 travels mean that he doesn't get to spend as much time a.