Tapatio Mexican Formula 1 driver makes us all proud
By Patrick O’Heffernan
A Tapatio Mexican driver won the Monaco Grand Prix this week, the world cup of Formula 1 auto racing and to many the most difficult of auto racing’s unofficial Triple Crown. He is the first Mexican to win the Monaco Grand Prix, and the first North American to win it since 1981.
Now, you may not be excited about auto racing. I understand, although I am, having raced H-class Sprites in another lifetime. Formula l racing (the funny-looking really fast cars) is a rich person’s sport, sort of like yacht racing, only louder and more dangerous for both drivers and spectators. But this one is a win for the home team here is Jalisco as well as Mexico..
Mexico is justifiably proud that one of its sons topped the podium at Monaco, Sergio “Checo” Pérez, racing for the Red Bull team. This is Pérez ‘s third Grand Prix success, the first being winning the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and the second a pole position in the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix earlier this year.
Pérez ‘s win was based on strategy, as well as speed. A rainstorm on the track and a late race accident that took out a barrier forced the drivers and their crews to make multiple decisions on which tires to run on for the final laps and when to change them – a major set of strategic choices. Pérez and his crew got the strategy right; the other three top finishers did not
As a result Pérez was able to hold the lead to the checkered flag and cinch his third success in Formula One, finishing just over a second ahead of second place Carlos Sainz of Spain. The 32-year old was rewarded with lots of champagne in very big bottles, kisses from every woman within reach, a gold trophy in the shape of the track in a special Luis Vuitton case, and an $8 million contract renewal with Red Bull. Plus, the undying pride of his countrymen and women.
Why should Mexico be so proud that one of its own has won the top Formula 1 race in the world – or any F-1 race for that matter? Well, for starters, F-1 is arguably the most competitive sport in the world. There are 9 billion people on earth and only 20 Formula 1 seats available. That makes driving F-1 a more exclusive club than the US Senate, and Pérez has made Mexico a Member.
Secondly, unlike NASCAR where everyone is essentially driving the same car because of NASCAR rules, F-1 cars can be and are designed to be the fastest in the world. The engines generate 1,000 HP and rev at 15,000 RPMs, moving them at speeds of up to 240 mph (NASCAR tops out at 212 mph). There are different cars for different tracks, with the length and stiffness of the frame, the center gravity, the engines (four companies supply F-1 engines), and other components differing vastly from car to car and track to track.
In short, racing Formula – and winning – is a unique combination of a skilled driver willing to risk his or her life in every race, the pinnacle of auto design and technology, money, and strategy. Racing and winning a Formula 1 race puts Mexico in the most exclusive club in the world. Whether or not you follow auto racing, it is another reason to be proud of the country we live in. It can do big things.
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