The Mexican GP has become a spectacle that almost transcends the sport, capturing the essence of a nation’s fervor, patriotism and zest for life. But looming over the partisan boos and even a few flying fists in the grandstands is a shadow of uncertainty, as its main star, Sergio “Checo” Perez, the Guadalajara-born maestro of speed, navigates through the twists and turns of his racing career.
Federico Gonzalez, the promoter behind the Mexican GP, opens up about the challenges. “Mexicans are passionate about their colors, about love, about food, about many things,” he declares.
Yet, as Gonzalez admits, this passion can sometimes cross the line. The grandstands, filled to the brim with eager fans, witnessed a violent altercation, a clash of allegiances as a fan donned in Perez’s special Mexican GP team shirt clashed with a Ferrari-clad supporter. The incident underscores the fervor that Sergio Perez ignites in the hearts of his compatriots.
Amidst this sea of passion, Max Verstappen navigated the weekend with the assistance of two bodyguards, a testament to the intensity the event invokes. “Max is Checo’s partner, things can go a little out of bounds, so we wanted to keep the battle on the track. That’s where the idea of this campaign came from,” Gonzalez reveals, shedding light on the ‘Racespect’ campaign, aimed at channeling the passion in a manner and educating the audience. “New people are coming to the F1 circuits, perhaps from other sports, and we have to explain to them that this (F1) is different.”
Ultimately, it was Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc feeling the sting of the crowd’s disapproval following a lap 1 crash that ended Perez’s race. “A lot of booing. A lot of booing,” he remarked, rattled yet honest, addressing the crowd with a plea for understanding, “Guys. Honestly, I had nowhere to go,” Leclerc added.
The question that looms largest, however, is the future. With Perez’s 2024 Red Bull contract shrouded in speculation and uncertainty, the Mexican GP finds itself at a crossroads. “Our goal is to work on the experience,” Gonzalez affirms, aware that the sands of time wait for no one. “We want Checo to be around for many years, but we know that one day it won’t be like that.”
And so, with a heart full of passion and a mind sharp for business, Gonzalez embarks on a journey of discovery and preparation. Travelling from Miami to Austin, and soon, Las Vegas, he studies, he observes, he learns. “They are competition, so I have to see what they are doing because I don’t want to be left behind.”
