Home hero hopes to give Mexican fans plenty to cheer about with another podium finish
Monday 2 November 2015 11:17, UK
In-form Sergio Perez says he "can't wait" to take to the track for his home race and hopes to give Mexican fans plenty to cheer about with another podium finish.
Perez and the rest of the F1 field will sample the revamped Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the first time this weekend, although the 25-year-old had a sneak preview earlier this month when he drove a car raced by Pedro Rodriguez during the 2.7-mile layout's inauguration.
"I really feel the enthusiasm from everyone back home, so it's something I'm definitely really looking forward to," the Force India driver said. "Mexico has a lot of history in the sport. It's been 23 years since we raced there but Mexico itself has a lot of history. It's not like going to a new venue.
"You will see when you get there that there's a lot of enthusiasm from the fans and the fans are really looking forward to receive the sport.
"I just can't wait to get there. It's going to be a fantastic venue for Formula 1 and I hope everyone enjoys the weekend as much as I will do."
Besides the anticipation of racing in front of his home crowd, Perez has also been buoyed by a number of strong results in recent races that have lifted him to ninth place in the drivers' standings.
He finished a strong fifth last weekend in Austin, with the benchmark coming at the previous race in Russia, where he stood on the podium next to race winner Lewis Hamilton and second-placed Sebastian Vettel.
Asked about the chance of another podium at the Mexican GP, Perez replied: "In normal conditions, we are the fourth or fifth, depending on the race weekend, or sixth-fastest team, so in a normal race there's no chance.
"Normal conditions it's going to be difficult. But we're going there with the aim to do the best weekend for all the Mexican fans."
Yet after the US GP washout, the forecast is for more rain this weekend. "The rain can mix a lot of things, so anything is possible. So I wouldn't discount a very strong result if it rains," he added.
Perez was present for the re-opening of the circuit, which hosted the race between 1963 and 1970 and again between 1986 and 1992, and drove the BRM P153 raced by Rodriguez - who, together with brother Ricardo, the track is named after - in 1970 and 1971.
"That was a great experience, to be able to drive the car driven by Pedro Rodriguez and be the first guy out there on the circuit," he added.
"I think it will be a great circuit that everyone will like. It has a bit of everything; it has a very long straight, very high-speed corners, medium speed and very low-speed corners, so it's going to be difficult to manage the downforce level. But I think I can offer a good race."
