Sergio Perez looking forward to ‘close but fair’ battle for P2 in the championship with Charles Leclerc
Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc in the Driver's Press Conference at the Mexican Grand Prix (IMAGO / HochZwei)
Going into the Mexico City Grand Prix, Max Verstappen and Red Bull have already sealed both championships, but there is still quite a bit to play for. The fight for P2 in the Driver’s championship is still hotly contested, with Charles Leclerc only 2 points ahead of Sergio Perez. This will be a pivotal weekend in that particular regard.
It’s also Sergio Perez’s home race, something he is greatly looking forward to, as he revealed in the Driver’s press conference: “Yeah, I’ve dreamt a few times already about it. And it will be massive for me. Obviously, that’s the target for Sunday. It will not be easy. We need to be perfect throughout the weekend. So yeah, I think all the focus will be now on the racing stuff, to try to maximise a weekend.“
Perez admitted that this is the most special weekend for him as a driver, but it’s also a pretty significant weekend for Charles Leclerc as well, as he’s participating in his 100th Grand Prix this weekend. It’s been quite a ride, and Leclerc said it has gone by very quickly, with many dreams having come true for him, but there’s still more.
While he seemed the frontrunner to win the championship after Australia, his dreams quickly unravelled. There’s still that to fulfill: “I still have many dreams, which obviously one of them is to become a World Champion and I hope this will become reality as soon as possible. We are all working towards that goal. But yeah, I’m just enjoying it. And I’m really, really lucky to be in that position.”
Charles Leclerc will ‘go for it’ if an opportunity arises while battlign with Sergio Perez
At one stage, especially after his Monaco win, it even seemed that Sergio Perez might pose a title challenge. But that went awry rather quickly, and now, both him and Charles Leclerc find themselves fighting each other, but for the next best spot. Since the summer break, Red Bull have had the clearly better car, and Leclerc still believes they are the team to beat on Sunday, but he did add that ‘it will be close’.
This fight has the potential to heat up, and both the Mexican and Monegasque drivers acknowledge that, but they will try to keep it fair. Perez said: “I think in general with Charles it has been good, the fighting. It’s always, really close, really tight. And you know that Charles will be aggressive, always, but always fair.” adding: “And I don’t see that changing. And I also feel like, from my side, I’m also fair. So I don’t expect that to change.”
Leclerc also agreed: “No, I don’t think it will change. Obviously, if there’s an opportunity, I’ll go for it. As Checo will go for it. It’s always been the case. Closer we get to the season, less opportunities, you have to make the difference.” also adding: “So yeah, I’m sure we won’t give any margin on track but I’m looking forward to it.”
Sergio Perez is not expecting any help to win his home Grand Prix, and he will have to fight tooth and nail for it, presumably with Max Verstappen who has been supreme this season, and will break the all-time wins record this weekend if he comes out on top again. Charles Leclerc and Ferrari, on the other hand, are trying to prepare themselves best in order to have a chance once again, next season.
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