Formula One race car driver Sergio Pérez, lovingly known as Checo by his fans, day came to an early end on Sunday (October 29) when he crashed during the opening lap of the 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix.
On the first corner, Pérez made contact with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and skidded off the track. Pérez was asked after the race where he thought the blame should lie for his quick exit.
“To be honest, I really feel it was a racing incident,” Pérez said. “The gap was there and obviously as a driver you take a risk going three cars into Turn 1 with these wide cars. I took a risk that I paid a high price for.”
Pérez also added that he was “not expecting Charles to brake that late” from his position in the middle of him and his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen. “[Charles] had a bit less room [to] maneuver,” Pérez said. “As I was ahead of him, I thought he was going to bail out a bit more but obviously in those decisions, everything happens really late. Unfortunately, I had a lot of damage under my car.”
It was a disappointing day for Pérez, especially since he has never won the Grand Prix race in his home country before and was hoping this year was when it was going to happen. Pérez was the only driver who retired after Day 1.
“I’m very sad with the end result because on the first lap, to end the race at your home Grand Prix it’s definitely really sad,” he said. “On the other side, I am extremely proud of myself because I gave it all.”
Before the race, Checo was greeted by Mexican fans chanting his name.
After the race, Leclerc was booed loudly by Mexican fans.
Other fans comforted each other.
There was also a fight in the stands, which some people are saying was between fans of Team Ferrari and Team Red Bull.
