Perez: F1 started as a crazy project from a crazy kid

Sergio Pérez Mendoza, aka Checo, began his motor racing journey through karting in the mid nineties, but got serious when he was drafted into the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2010, the Mexican was a hotshot many were watching at the time.

By 2011 they had him placed at Ferrari powered Sauber and thus began his F1 career, starting with the 2011 Australian Grand Prix, which now spans 209 starts.

Perez, like most rookies, took his time to get into the F1 frame of mind, but by his second season in the top flight showed his true potential with a fine second place at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix. He was clearly special in conditions that tricked many far more experienced rivals.

History shows that McLaren came calling and Perez waved away his Ferrari opportunity to pursue a career with McLaren alongside Jenson Button. On paper, it all seemed swell, but the deal lasted only a year with Perez's career nearly destroyed at Woking.

Then came Force India, where he solidified his reputation as a driver capable of delivering when conditions are tough and doing wonders with the limited budget Force India had to run with during an eight-year stint with the perennial midfield team, including the Racing Point takeover.

But that did not last long as Lawrence Stroll had and has lofty plans for Racing Point aka Aston Martin.

For a time, when they confirmed Sebastian Vettel would be joining Lance Stroll and 31-year-old Perez was excess baggage, it seemed the Mexican veteran would not be in F1, even IndyCar appeared as a destination. But that all changed when Red Bull decided to opt for experience to help Max Verstappen in his quest for a world title - all other teammates had failed miserably.

Step in Checo. And, after eight months with the Bulls, he has ticked all the boxes for his team, finally providing support for a proper F1 Constructors' Title bid as well as Verstappen's title ambitions.

With five races remaining, and Checo getting better with every outing, his role in where the 2021 F1 title ends up, could be decisive. And, should it need up at Milton Keynes, with it will come the reward of a long-term deal with Red Bull because he is not going to get any worse if his current form is anything to go by.

That would be a just reward for the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix winner whose journey from Mexico to Europe and the heights of superstardom is quite remarkable.

Speaking in an interview with Red Bull YouTube Channel, Pérez said: “This is a story of moving from Mexico to Germany to pursue my racing career

“I’m extremely lucky to have such a good career in Formula 1, and it started as a crazy project from a crazy kid – ringing people at 4 am, not speaking English. I’m extremely proud of that kid. No matter how crazy your dream sounds, it can definitely be possible.”

This weekend Pérez will race in front of a home crowd at the Mexican Grand Prix and will be aiming for his third successive podium after third-place finishes in both Turkey and the USA in recent weeks. With a run of podiums, Red Bull Racing Honda Team Principal Christian Horner has been full of praise for Pérez’s recent form.

“It was a tough race (the USA Grand Prix) for Checo with no drinks system, but again the way he managed the race was fantastic and you can see him growing in confidence with his second podium in consecutive races. He produced a phenomenal drive and with his home race coming up he’s finding his form, which is crucial for us at this time of year,” said Horner.

Watch “For Real: Sergio Pérez” on the Red Bull YouTube Channel