Can under pressure Perez re-boot his season on home soil?
Oct 25, 2023
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Diego Mejía and Edd Straw join to discuss Sergio Perez's career, his performance on home soil, and F1's growing popularity in Mexico and South America. They also address listener questions, predict winners, and explore the potential for hosting a Formula One race in Colombia. Potential changes to the race format are also discussed.
Growing popularity of F1 in South America opens up possibilities for expansion and races in the region.
The Drive to Survive series has attracted new fans to F1 and rekindled the interest of existing fans globally.
Sergio Perez's comfortable lead over Lewis Hamilton puts him in a strong position to secure second place in the championship.
Deep dives
Increased interest in F1 in South America
F1 has seen a significant increase in interest from fans in South America, particularly in countries like Colombia, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina. The popularity of the Drive to Survive series on Netflix has played a role in attracting new fans to the sport. There is growing enthusiasm for Formula 1 races in the region, as seen in initiatives to host races in places like Barranquilla, Colombia. While the financial aspects and government support still present challenges, the interest and passion of the fans in the region are undeniable.
The potential for Formula 1 expansion in South America
The interest in Formula 1 in South America has opened up possibilities for expansion in the region. While there are no current drivers from the region in F1, upcoming drivers in lower categories like F2 and F3 are generating excitement. Efforts are being made to bring a race to Colombia, with proposals for a Caribbean Grand Prix. The success of such an event would likely involve private investment and government support. The interest in F1 in South America suggests that there is a growing market for the sport in the region.
The impact of Drive to Survive on Formula 1's growth
The Drive to Survive series has had a significant impact on the growth of Formula 1's fan base around the world. The show has not only attracted new casual fans, but also rekindled the interest of existing fans. The increase in interest has led to initiatives like potential new races in South America, where the popularity of F1 has surged. While there may be debate around the depth of knowledge or commitment of new fans, it is clear that Drive to Survive has helped to bring Formula 1 into the mainstream and make it more accessible to a wider audience.
The Championship Battle: Checo's Advantage
After Lewis Hamilton's disqualification in Austin, Sergio Perez has a comfortable lead of 39 points over Hamilton. This puts Perez in a strong position to secure second place in the championship. The disqualification has taken the sting out of the battle, with Hamilton now needing mistakes or crashes from Perez to have a chance. This gives Perez a calmer mental state and the ability to focus on consistent results. Being best of the rest behind the dominant Red Bull and Mercedes cars is an achievement, and Perez can take pride in finishing ahead of Hamilton.
Improvements for Sprint Races
The current sprint race format in Formula One needs to be more distinctive and different from the Grand Prix weekend. Rather than trying to replicate the Grand Prix, the sprint should have its own unique features and challenges. Ideas such as reverse grids and team race formats have been suggested to make the sprints more interesting. However, it is important to consider the impact on the flow of the weekend and the viewing experience for fans. Ultimately, the sprint race format needs to be carefully thought out and designed to provide more excitement and action.
Edd Straw is joined by a returning Scott Mitchell-Malm and special guest Diego Mejía, of Fox Sports Mexico and The Race en español, to look ahead to the Mexican Grand Prix - a potentially pivotal race in the career of home hero Sergio Perez. They discuss whether the Mexican can use local support to raise his performance level, explain how his downturn in form has been received back home, and ask whether P2 in the championship is his to lose or win. The trio also discuss F1's growing popularity in Mexico and other territories in Central and South America, answer a host of listener questions on Sprint Races, and look ahead to this weekend's race in Mexico City.
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