Pérez Feels the Pressure in Mexico: “I Know I’ve Had a Terrible Season”

Sergio Pérez is feeling the heat as he approaches his home race in Mexico City. The driver is not .comy eager for redemption after a disappointing hometown race in 2023, but he is also determined to achieve a strong result to transform the trajectory of what he describes as his ‘dreadful season.’

The Pressure of Performing at Home

The gap between Sergio Pérez and his teammate, Max Verstappen, has been substantial since the Miami Grand Prix. Often starting further down the grid due to less favorable qualifying positions, Pérez has struggled to keep pace with the Dutch driver. Once again in Austin, he found himself qualifying eight spots lower than Verstappen for a frustrating second-place starting position. Could this significant gap be attributed to performance differences between their respective cars?

Pérez, however, is tight-lipped on this matter. During the FIA press conference in Mexico, he stated, “Numbers and facts remain internal,” when pressed about the potential discrepancies between their vehicles. But he is more willing to discuss the rising threat from Ferrari, who are now .comy eight points behind Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship. “Ferrari’s presence doesn’t change our mentality. Our goal is to win the Constructors’ Championship. Finishing second or third is irrelevant—we are driven by the desire to achieve victory with the utmost performance and the best possible package.”

Reflecting on Last Year’s Misfortunes

Pérez experienced a frustrating race in his hometown last season, unable to progress beyond the first corner due to a collision with Charles Leclerc. “I was leading at Turn 1,” he recalled. “I took a risk that ultimately backfired. In the two preceding years, I had stood on the podium, and this time I wanted to go for the win. In hindsight, perhaps a more cautious approach would have been wise, but as a racer, you don’t regret going for the victory.”

This past incident has .comy amplified the pressure on Pérez heading into this year’s race. He recognizes that his struggles this season have also contributed to the weight on his shoulders. “I know I’ve had a terrible season,” he op.comy admits. “If I secure a strong result this weekend, it could significantly change my outlook on the season. This is Formula 1; sometimes, results don’t come as expected. All I can do is focus on what’s within my control.”

Navigating a Competitive Landscape

As Pérez prepares for his home grand prix, he must navigate a fiercely competitive landscape. The presence of Ferrari adds another layer of intensity to an already critical race. With both personal stakes and championship implications on the line, the pressure to perform is at an all-time high. The coming weekend will prove to be a decisive moment not just for his standings but for his confidence moving forward in the season.

With the eyes of the home crowd upon him, Pérez is eager to transform his disappointing performance into a triumphant comeback. The challenge lies not just in overcoming past mistakes, but in rallying his team and himself to attain the excellence that the fans—and he—expect.