By Neil Leverett
- Formula 1 continues its three-leg Americas stop with the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend
- Red Bull eye ninth-successive season win for the first time since 2013
- Sergio Perez looking to become first Mexican to win home GP; Max Verstappen seeks record 14th victory of season
MEXICO CITY – As Formula 1 moves to Central America this weekend, can Sergio Perez make history and become the first Mexican to win his home GP?
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Fiesta time in Mexico
With the destination of both the World drivers’ and constructors’ championships now determined, just three races of the 2022 season remain as this weekend Formula 1 jumps the border fence for Round 20 and the Mexican Grand Prix at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
The second of three successive races in The Americas, Max Verstappen‘s United States Grand Prix win last time out saw Red Bull seal a title double – their first since 2013.
Having amassed 391 points to date, nearest rival Charles Leclerc‘s challenge has faded away and now a mammoth 124 points the gap, the Monegasque’s own ambitions have shifted toward holding on to runners-up spot in the standings.
Though the big prizes have now been awarded this term, as Martin Brundle so accurately pointed out in broadcast last weekend, there is still much to race for as ‘the gloves come off’.
Indeed Martin. The fight is on in Mexico City.
Red Bull eye landmark weekend
Having now come to an agreement with the FIA for a $7million fine over their Cost Cap breach last season – a decision that will still be met with much controversy – Red Bull can now bask in their glory as new constructors’ champions as they eye another page in the record books.
Rolling into Mexico from Austin for the 23rd edition of the race, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez plays host to the Mexican GP for a 14th time since debuting in 1986 and it is that same number that could be particularly pertinent this weekend.
Should Verstappen secure a third win on the spin, the Dutchman will record his 14th win of the season and set a new record for most victories in a season.
After drawing level with German pair Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher with another late show in the US, victory in Mexico City will break new ground in F1.
It is not only individual records but team ones at stake though, as Red Bull look to seal a ninth win on the bounce and do so for the first time in nine years.
However, not only are both Red Bull and the company’s cash cow targeting milestones, as too is one of the country’s favourites sons seeking to finally etch his way into Mexican sporting folklore.
Perez primed?
Sergio Perez could be forgiven for feeling just a little bit giddy with excitement.
The 32-year-old from Guadalajara races in his seventh home GP on Sunday and might feel the time is right to make history and become the first driver from his native land to win in Mexico.
Having been given a taste of such accolade holding temporary lead of last year’s race, Perez was forced to settle for third but still became the first Mexican to podium in his home country. So could Checo go one or perhaps two places better this time around?
Riding the wave of success with his team since Le Castellet, Perez took only his second chequered flag of the term in Singapore earlier this month but will be looking to his team’s performance here.
With the Mexican GP having now extended its contract on the F1 calendar until 2025, the vast void in the history of this race remains when F1 did not visit for a full 21 years between 1993 and 2014; that chasm can be filled by Perez in 2022.
Victory in Mexico City would indeed be glorious.
Hamilton targeting new ‘multi-year deal’
After another weekend of immense frustration north of the border, Lewis Hamilton is still waiting for his first win of the season.
Seeing victory again snatched away from his grasp in the final laps of a race this season, the 37-year-old Briton still registered his third P2 of the campaign after France and Hungary, but his disappointment could not be masked in Austin.
So much so in fact, that his latest setback of a tumultuous term for Mercedes had even prompted some to suggest Hamilton could be set to call it a day with his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign.
Fortunately for F1 and his many and growing band of supporters however, that is not the case.
That is not to say Hamilton has not entertained the idea of retirement but as he told F1.com in the lead-up to Mexico, the Briton is not ready to hang up the driving gloves any time soon.
Indeed, the Stevenage driver is eyeing on extending for more than one season with the Silver Arrows ready to fight back next term.
“I think it will be a multi-year contract. There’s like this whole thing of [me] retiring that’s always lingering around and honestly, I don’t like the idea of it and I don’t feel like I’m there.
“We have a lot more work to do as a team, as individuals within the team, we have a lot more to do as a sport and I want to be a part of that shifting.”
Long may Hamilton remain in F1. And for now at least, it appears he will be for some time to come.
The Formula 1 Gran Premio De La Ciudad De Mexico 2022 takes place at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, this weekend.
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