Only the third non-European driver to win the Monaco GP since Ayrton Senna’s four-year run, Sergio Perez says that’s just another indication of how difficult it is for drivers outside of Europe to make it into Formula 1.
Perez took the chequered flag at the Monte Carlo street race adding his name to an illustrious list of non-European drivers to have won the race that includes Senna, Gilles Villeneuve, Jody Scheckter, Carlos Reutemann, Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren and Juan Manuel Fangio. Also more recently, Juan Pablo Montoya and Mark Webber.
Perez, though, is the only Mexican driver to have achieved that feat.
The driver, who Red Bull confirmed earlier this week has a new two-deal for 2023 and ’24, says he understand the magnitude of what he achieved on Sunday with the Monaco GP said to be the jewel in F1’s crown.
“Certainly, in terms of history of the sport, I’m a big fan of my sport,” he said. “So, certainly knowing what it means to win a race like this.
“I mean, they’re all very important, but certainly this is very special. And it goes very, very high in the list for my country.”
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Of 20 drivers on this year’s grid, Perez is one of seven non-European drivers but the only one from South America. He has been representing Latin America alone since Esteban Gutierrez was dropped after the 2016 season.
“I certainly feel like at the moment, I’m the only Mexican – or even Latin American – driver on the grid,” he continued.
“So, it just shows how difficult it is for us – not saying that for European drivers, it’s easy – but it just shows how difficult it is for us to make it into the sport and to have successful career in this sport.
“It is quite hard, but I have to say I’m extremely proud of it.”
Perez’s comment comes in the wake of Nicholas Latifi having highlighted the “big sacrifice” that all…
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