When this newspaper first interviewed Sergio “Checo” Perez it was in a Starbucks cafe in Guadalajara in 2007. The baby-faced racing driver had just won the British F3 championship at the tender age of 17.
Warned the young Guadalajara native back then: “I don’t care about the money and fame. I’m in this to win.”
No one recognized Perez on that day. Less than six years on, this down-to-earth 23-year-old is about to become a major international celebrity. On Friday, Formula 1 giant McLaren announced that Perez had signed a multi-year deal from 2013 as a replacement for former world champion Lewis Hamilton, who is moving to Mercedes.
McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh told reporters that Perez is the "rising star" of Formula 1. "It's the opportunity to turn him into an international brand, an international star and a world champion."
Perez has enjoyed an outstanding second season with the modest Swiss-based Suaber team, earning three podium finishes. He is currently in 9th place in the Formula One standings with 66 points.
It is not known whether Carlos Slim – the world’s wealthiest man – will now move his sponsorship dollars to McLaren. Slim's telecommunications company Telmex has sponsored Perez since his early days on the European motor racing circuit. The contract of McLaren's biggest sponsor, Vodaphone, is soon to expire, so Telmex may seize the opportunity to continue with their Mexican prodigy and back one of the most successful teams in Formula One history.
Perez, who has earned kudos for his humility as well as his driving skills, said he was "truly honored" to have been chosen by McLaren.
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