Prez finished seventh in his first race, the Australian Grand Prix, impressing observers by stopping to change tyres only once, becoming the only driver in the field to make fewer than two stops. Why is Sergio Perez nicknamed Checo? In Mexico, where I come from, all Sergios are Horner has already stated that now Red Bull will focus on getting Perez the runner-up spot in the standings while clinching the constructors title win. (Checo Perez)'s got so much rear! Sergio was actually let go by Mclaren for refusing to stop selling his cds in the pitlane to starstruck fans. In response, all three drivers burst out laughing. -Lewis Hamilton. The reasoning behind Perezs nickname is, in fact, a simple one. Prez had signed a contract extension with Racing Point, for whom he was meant to continue racing until the end of 2022. [11] In September 2020, Racing Point announced that Prez would be leaving the team at the end of the season as Sebastian Vettel, a four-time F1 world champion, had been signed to replace him. The reasons why Sergio "Checo" Perez is a faithful follower of Club America The 30-year-old Mexican driver made history this weekend in Mexican sports and has never hidden his passion for Club America. [39] However, Prez later told reporters that he expected to stay with Sauber until at least the end of the 2012 season. [22] He competed in the National Class for older chassis with the T-Sport team, winning the championship by a comfortable margin. Now for the race that gave him his famous nickname: the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. Though last year, Christian Horner in Abu Dhabi told Yuki Tsunoda, Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly what Checo means in Mexico. Team principal Christian Horner said it was tactical to not start on the pole due to the slipstream effect, which could help a driver take the lead going into the Les Combes corner. [103], At the 2021 French Grand Prix, Prez qualified in 4th place, starting behind Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas. by honestmaxverstappenfan November 29, 2021. At the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Prez qualified on the front row in 2nd place, just 0.035 seconds behind polesitter Lewis Hamilton, outqualifying his teammate Max Verstappen in P3. The best drivers in the He finished fourth overall, equalling his best championship result set in 2020. Formula One F1 United States Grand Prix Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. October 23, 2022 Red Bulls Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez during the drivers parade ahead of the race REUTERS/Brian Snyder. Interestingly, the name Pepe is also given to Mexican people called Jose Luis, with Jose, in some cases. The origins of the nickname Checo Sergio Perez In an interview in 2013, Perez was asked how he got his nickname. [97], At the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix, Prez made his debut with the Red Bull Racing team finishing in 5th place. [70], In the European Grand Prix in Baku Prez once again finished third, recovering from a gearbox change penalty as a result of a crash during free practice, having been fast enough to qualify on the front row. He finished the season in 10th place in the championship with 52 points, comfortably ahead of teammate Stroll. In December, Prez signed with Red Bull Racing for the 2021 season. Sergio Michel "Checo" Prez Mendoza (Spanish:[sexjo pees] (listen); born 26 January 1990),[2][3] is a Mexican racing driver who races in Formula One for Red Bull Racing, having previously driven for Sauber, McLaren, Force India, and Racing Point. He also became the youngest driver to win a competition in the category, after obtaining special permission from the Federation to participate in the 80cc Shifter. And while Checo is one of his most commonly used nicknames by his fans, there was another name that emerged after Max Verstappen won the championship in 2021. Nevertheless, Perez is among the most adored drivers on the grid. referencing the incident above. Verstappen didn't let Prez back past, which left Prez disappointed. He took his first Formula One podium at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix with Sauber. Formula One F1 United States Grand Prix Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. October 23, 2022 Red Bulls Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez during the drivers parade ahead of the race REUTERS/Brian Snyder. [64] At the Chinese Grand Prix, Prez started 16th and after gaining four places at the start, was able to overtake both McLarens and Daniil Kvyat's Toro Rosso to finish 9th. [90][91] Prez was 3rd for the majority of the Bahrain Grand Prix after starting 5th, but an MGU-K electrical issue struck with only a few laps to go, forcing him to pull over and retire the car with flames billowing out of the power unit. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. The reasoning behind Perezs nickname is, in fact, a simple one. After Max Verstappens triumph in the Abu Dhabi GP, which made him the absolute champion of F1, social media exploded because of the shocking rythm of the race and all the actions that were experienced in it, highlighting especially the participation of Sergio Checo Prez. [105] Ultimately, however, the race was red-flagged after just two laps under the safety car, resulting in a result of 20th place, although he was later promoted to 19th due to a penalty given to Lance Stroll. Due to this, he was unable to participate in the British Grand Prix. By Mauricio Saenz On the last lap, he was involved in a collision with Felipe Massa, who crashed into the back of his Force India sending both cars heavily into the barriers. Also read: 33-year-old Daniel Ricciardo feels age wont hurt hopes of returning to F1 in 2024. [34], Prez started the season with eighth place at the Australian Grand Prix, losing several places on the final lap due to excessively-worn tyres. Sergio Perez revealed in 2013 the reason behind his nickname. Eventually Prez finished 1.4 seconds behind Leclerc in third place which meant he ended up third in the 2022 Drivers Standings.[130]. [49] In the race, he was forced to retire in the first turn of the first lap after Romain Grosjean caused a spectacular accident. (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap). He took a career-best seventh at the British Grand Prix and eleventh in Germany. [citation needed] This drive won him plaudits and fuelled speculation of a move to Ferrari in the near future. The reason is pretty straightforward in Mexico, all Sergios are automatically given the nickname Checo. Conclusion Perez has built a reputation in F1 as a combat driver who loves to fight his way through the pack. Sorry, theres no story behind it! said Perez, according to the Sun. [65] At the Austrian Grand Prix, Prez set his third fastest lap of his career whilst also giving Force India their third fastest lap in their history. Responding to the question, Perez said, "In Mexico, where I come from, all Sergios are automatically given the nickname 'Checo'. Interestingly, the name Pepe is also given to Mexican people called Jose Luis, with Jose, in some cases. Jon Wilde 09 Nov 2021 11:20 PM. In Mexico, where I come from, all Sergios are automatically given the nickname 'Checo'. [60] Prez recorded a season-best fifth-place finish in India, finishing four seconds shy of the podium, a result that left him "extremely satisfied".[61]. Whats the name were talking about? [46] Maldonado received a double penalty in the form of a reprimand and a 10,000 fine after the race. The first one is when, in 2013, Perez himself shed light on why he is called Checo. Prez again let Verstappen through on lap 49, the team citing Verstappen being on the three stop compared to Prez's two. [33] On 13 September, Prez tested for Ferrari as part of the Ferrari Driver Academy in a Ferrari F60, Ferrari's car from the 2009 season. [126], At the Japanese Grand Prix, Prez qualified fourth. Jon Wilde 09 Nov 2021 11:20 PM. Sorry, theres nothing to it! Similarly to how Jim stands for James in English, Checo stands for Sergio in Mexican Spanish. He finished 2nd to Verstappen, with Leclerc having retired. Sergio Perez, otherwise known as Checo, is a Formula One driver from Mexico. Post race Prez said the matter was "discussed internally" and they are going to put it "behind" themselves. "[47], For the German Grand Prix, Prez started in 17th position but was able to make his way through the field, and ultimately finished the race in 6th place. He passed Norris early but lost a position to Bottas after a slow pitstop. During qualifying on Saturday he came 11th. In Mexico, where I come from, all Sergios are automatically given the nickname Checo. Flag. Prez conducted the test with fellow academy member Jules Bianchi. Out-qualifying his teammate for a second time, Prez started in the tenth position for the Monaco Grand Prix however a first-lap collision with Jenson Button meant an early retirement for the first time in the season. Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. [86][87] In September 2020, Prez announced that he would be leaving Racing Point at the end of the 2020 season. Why is Sergio Perez nicknamed Checo? Leclercs emotional phone call to Perez after Mexican GP. Max Verstappen is calling his Red Bull Racing teammate a bad name. Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Prez is the youngest child of Antonio Prez Garibay and Maril Mendoza de Prez; he also has an older sister Paola and an older brother Antonio,[13] a retired stock car racing driver who competed in the NASCAR Mexico Series. The session was suspended, and marshals and medical personnel extricated Prez from his car. With the race boiling down to a final lap title shootout, Red Bull did not want to risk Perez stopping out on track. Sergio Perez was given his nickname by his fans in Mexico. Sergio Perez Mendoza, also known as Checo Perez, has been a firm fixture on the Formula 1 grid since 2011. Prez pit the same lap for the slick hard tyres, and still emerged in the lead after a good out-lap. Horner said, Hiring Checo is a bit of a risk. Its not actually that complicated or exciting, he said. Sorry, theres nothing to it! Similarly to how Jim stands for James in English, Checo stands for Sergio in Mexican Spanish. [93], Prez won his first race at the Sakhir Grand Prix, becoming Formula 1's 110th race winner. 1; 2; With the race boiling down to a final lap title shootout, Red Bull did not want to risk Perez stopping out on track. I really enjoy looking at the stock market and I even own some stocks too. In Mexico, where I come from, all Sergios are automatically given the nickname Checo. said Perez. He collided with his teammate Ocon on the opening lap, causing Ocon to crash into a wall and retire from the race. Checo is the nickname given to all people called Sergio in Mexico, according to the man himself. Checo is the nickname given to all people called Sergio in Mexico, according to the man himself. [7] Prez joined McLaren for the 2013 season, but the team did not score a single podium finish. Why Is Sergio Perez Called Checo? Its not really that complicated or interesting. [10] He remained with Force India when the team went into administration in 2018 and reformed as the Racing Point team for 2019. Sorry, theres no story behind it!" Except for a retirement in Singapore due to an oil leak,[80] he scored points in every race after the summer break, including a strong 6th-place finish in Belgium. In 1999, he raced in the 80cc Shifter category, taking three wins and finisheing third in the championship. Due to a turn four crash he was forced to pit for a new front wing which dropped him down to 17th. The Mexican racer has an elder sister Paola and his elder brother Antonio, who is a retired stock car racing driver. In the race he managed to run third for most of the time, but was caught out by a Safety Car with himself on Medium tyres compared to everyone else's Soft tyres. After a safety car, he recovered and was battling Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc for second, where he ultimately finished. Leclerc cut across the Casio Triangle, and blocked Prez from making an overtake. [84] Three days before the British Grand Prix, he tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus which causes COVID-19. Nevertheless, a week later in the Bahrain Grand Prix, he was able to score Force India's first podium since 2009,[63] holding off Ricciardo's Red Bull for a third-place finish. [41] He finished outside the points in the next three races despite recording the fastest lap in Monaco,[42] before Prez achieved his second career podium at the Canadian Grand Prix, finishing the race in third place, having started fifteenth. -Lewis Hamilton. He then returned to the sport with Force India, where he had some impressive seasons, including a podium finish in 2016. Prez finished in second place, behind Verstappen, giving Red Bull another 1-2 result. Sorry, theres no story behind it! Someone who is called Sergio in Mexico its like for Jose is PePe or Jesus = Chuy, Alejandro= Alex. Why is Sergio Perez called Checo? In Mexico, where I come from, all Sergios are automatically given the nickname Checo. Sergio Perez responded to the topic of why he is known as Checo in 2013. He remained 7th in the standings for the rest of the season. [31] After taking part in the first practice session of the Canadian Grand Prix, Prez did not feel well enough and decided not to take any further part, and was replaced by Pedro de la Rosa.[32]. In the second half of the season, he out-qualified his teammate in six of the last nine races and eight times throughout the season. Its not really that complicated or interesting. : $12 million salaried Red Bull star reveals how he got his nickname, FIA propose Wind Tunnel time punishment to Red Bull for $1.8 Million Budget cap breach, Christian Horner in Abu Dhabi told Yuki Tsunoda, Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly what Checo means in Mexico, 33-year-old Daniel Ricciardo feels age wont hurt hopes of returning to F1 in 2024. Sorry, theres no story behind it! he concluded. I don't understand why the stewards don't take a serious decision with him. And all of that revived his nickname, making him popular amongst, However, despite the admiration from fans, many are unaware of the origin of this nickname. A penalty for Maldonado subsequently promoted Prez to a career-best fourth on the grid. Sorry, there's no story behind it! said Perez, according to the Sun.