Mexico City, April 28th, 2017
Mexico City, April 28th, 2017.- A common child with a special dream to achieve: Living of speed and going around the world at over 300 kmh as a F1 driver. A dream that Checo Pérez would accomplish, turned into Fromula 1 Sahara Force India’s driver star. However, for him there’s still a dream to come true: Stepping into the highest of the podium and listening to the National Anthem, furthermore if it happened this year at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, when racing FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE MÉXICOTM for the third time. Last Sunday –Children’s day-, momets before the competition at the Russian Grand Prix, Checo remembers his childhood and tells us how it was to grow between chores, games, tracks and competitions. We also share an infography of milestones during the first years of career for the 27-year-old driver, who is now experiencing a lucky strike of 13 races in the score zone; also photos of the childhood of this Mexican who has elevated our country’s name in Formula 1. 
CHECO PÉREZ INTERVIEW Have you always dreamed about being a driver or was there any other profession in your mind? As a kid, I was a soccer fan and I had the ilussion of being a soccer player and that thought kept going in my mind for a while, but to speak the truth, it didn’t last much. When I was 6 years old I began to race in go karts and almost since the very beginning I dreamed of becoming a F1 driver. How would you describe your childhood? Was it too different from other children’s childhood, as a consequence of starting your career that young? I can joyfully recall my childhood. I had to make some sacrifices as a kid, constantly travelling to compete; long weekends without taking a break, but always accompanied by my father and my brother, that would make the whole difference. I enjoyed so much, those years when I used to race in Mexico, after that, a little bit older, at the age of 16, I had to move to Germany to continue with my career that time and I had to do it alone. It was a harder time for me, but I remember it with joy. How did you do as a student? Did you get good grades? (Laughs) I was good with numbers, they didn’t give me a hard time, but to speak the truth; I was not too dedicated; I was only thinking of being on a go kart. The first thing I wanted to do after school was going to the karting track; but I was not allowed until I finished my homework, my sister would be in charge of checking it. Were you a mischievous kid? What was your worst mischief? Yes, I’ve always been a teaser. I still am, I used to hide my friends’ belongings to make them feel a little angry. I was so much fun. What do your friends and colleagues think about your profession? I’ve always been supported, some of them used to go to the races whenever they can and they keep doing it nowadays. I also have many friends I met in this field, since then I have always had someone to share my passion with. How did you use to celebrate Children’s day? Do you remember any celebration in particular? I remember all celebrations at school with my friends, there were always special celebrations and we were allowed to play a little longer during recess. RACING THE GRAN PREMIO DE MÉXICO, A DREAM COME TRUE you have accomplished five national championships in karting, which one was the most significant for you, and why?Curiously, the most significant for me, was the one I never got. That race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez where I got disqualified while I was already on the starting grid just before starting. Consequently, that gave me the chance to enter Team Telmex and race on international categories. As a kid, did you ever imagine you could compete on Gran Premio de México? Yes, I pictured it, it was a dream to me though it seemed a very distant event. I feel so lucky of being able to achieve this dream. Did you imagine FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE MÉXICOTM as it has been now, that awarded and praised? Honestly I didn’t, I was aware the first year it was going to be special, but it definitely exceeded everybody’s expectations. I feel proud of our Grand Prix. After the first two editions of Grand Prix, everybody wants to come back. What’s the first that comes to mind when “Autódromo de los Hermanos Rodríguez” is mentioned? Before the Gran Premio de México, I could only recall that race where I got unreasonably disqualified. Now I can only think about all the Mexican audience euphoric for the F1, supporting me from the tiers and all that incredible energy they make me feel while I’m driving. What do you remember about your first competition at the Autódromo de los Hermanos Rodríguez? It was incredible, especially because I had no expectations whatsoever. I knew it would be special but not at such level, I never pictured that support and love from people. After having competed FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE MÉXICOTM twice, what is the most exciting for you about this event being carried out in our country? The audience is spectacular, without precedent in any other Grand Prix Premio. From Friday you can see all stands totally occupied to watch the cars; suddenly the entire city turns to the F1: you just can feel it. It is an event that everybody wants to attend to. Nowadays you are living a lucky strike of 13 races inside the point chart, what would be your analysis for your F1 current season? I’m glad with this season beginning. It couldn’t get better. We have a great car, there is still a lot to improve yet but combined with the excellent work team we all do, we have gotten unexpected results. We will improve the car in Barcelona, consequently, aiming to keep up the fight on the high average of the charts. You are a perseverant driver who never gives up, do you consider mentally strong? Where do you get that strength, how do you get it? Yes, I think being mentally strong, has been the key to get those good results in my career. It is a bit of everything: it depends a little on every one’s nature, some of practice and training, but especially the experience and the tireless desire to succeed. What was the best advice you received as a kid? Exactly that: “Don’t you ever give up”. What would you say to a kid who is trying to become a driver? Never give up. It is a long way, of many sacrifices, a lot of dedication and perseverance, but especially, never giving up.
For Checo Pérez’s childhood pictures, download the material on the following link:
https://we.tl/LiPDX0mdrC
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About FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE MÉXICO™: The highest category in motor racing has returned to Mexico, after 23 years of absence, pioneer of the greatest sport events in our country. With a term from 2015 to 2019 the renewed Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is the perfect stage for the return of the F1ESTA to our country, with a highest world-class level track. On its first two editions (2015 and 2016), over 375 thousand people attending the race, turned into the second with the biggest number of spectators around the world (after Great Britain). Until now, FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE MÉXICO™ has generated over 22 thousand jobs, economic revenue of 1,119 MDD (24,841 million of pesos). One more year, Mexico will create a world-class position during racing that will take place from October 27th, to October 29th, after having been awarded as the Best Event of the Year by the maximum authorities in world professional motor racing FIA and FOM, during its first two editions. For further information about FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE MÉXICO™ go: https://mexicogp.alucinaprojects.com/ About Formula 1®: Formula 1® is the most prestigious motor racing competition in the world that has taken the position of the most popular annual sport competition in the planet: In 2016 the championship was witnessed by 400 million of viewers only from over 200 places. With a long history of glory and racing written since 1950, Formula 1® has been bastion for great drivers, as well as for iconic teams that had led motor racing to being part of collective memory in millions of fans all around the world. In 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship™ took place from March to November, including 21 races in 21 countries of the five continents. Formula One World Championship Limited is part of Formula 1® and owns the exclusive commercial rights to FIA Formula One World Championship™. Formula 1® has being raced in Mexico for 17 times, being editions 2015 and 2016 recognized as “The best Grand Prix of the world”. For more information about Formula 1® go to: www.formula1.com About CIE: Corporación Interamericana de Entretenimiento, S.A.B de C. V. www.cie.com.mx We are the market leader in outdoor entertainment in Mexico, Colombia and Central America and one of the major players in the entertainment industry in Latin America and across the globe. CIE offers a variety of world-class entertainment options including concerts, theater productions, and sports and family and cultural events, among others, to meet our market segments’ needs for recreation and entertainment through its unique vertical integration model that provides the only access available to an extensive network of entertainment centers, advertisers, including the main advertising investors in our markets, and partnerships and strategic alliances with experienced global partners. We operate an amusement and water park in Bogota, Colombia, and manage Centro Banamex in Mexico City, one of the largest convention and exhibition facilities across the globe. We are recognized as the foremost producer and organizer of special and corporate events in Mexico, and we operate one of the most professional contact centers in the Mexican market. CIE is a public company whose shares and debt securities are listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange.
