It’s hard to believe that Sergio Perez is about to start his sixth season of Formula One racing and his third with the up-and-coming Force India team. After a podium result, his first home Grand Prix, and his best championship finish to date in 2015, the Mexican driver is looking forward to even bigger and better things this year. But what are the key elements that will help get him there?
What are the essential elements of your pre-race routine?
Sergio Perez: Warming up with my trainer. We play a kind of tennis - and the one who loses gets a hit in the face. That is pretty rude, but that’s what we do every race weekend.
Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India VJM08 at Formula One World Championship, Rd19, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Race, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday 29 November 2015.
You have to enjoy life. You must never forget that you are lucky to be in this sport.
Sergio Perez
What are the essential ingredients of a good night out?
SP: Good company.
What essential items must you have in your driver’s room/motorhome at a race?
SP: Nothing essential. Massage bed, training balls… Nothing special.
What essential items must you always have in your fridge at home?
SP: Water, fruit - that’s it.
What are your essential qualities in a girlfriend/wife/partner?
SP: Loyalty. To have a lot of trust in the girl you are sharing your life with. And to be able to have good laughs.
What are the essential qualities of a good F1 team mate?
SP: So far I’ve had quite a number of different team mates. All of them were very different. I think I got on well with all of them. You want to beat him, but then you also have to work with him, so you have to find a compromise. I haven't had any issues with any of them so far.
Your essential tip for avoiding stress at airports?
SP: I hate queueing. So I always wave to the person who is first at the counter and pretend that he’s my dad (but my dad is at home). It always works!
What are the essential qualities of an F1 driver?
SP: You have to enjoy life. You must never forget that you are lucky to be in this sport. If you have a hard day never forget it’s just a sport, so be happy and enjoy every minute as it goes really quick.
What is essential to help you wind down after a race?
SP: I can calm down very easily. I take a plane and go to the next destination.
Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India VJM08 in parc ferme at Formula One World Championship, Rd19, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Qualifying, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Saturday 28 November 2015.
I always wave to the person who is first at the counter and pretend that he’s my dad.
Sergio Perez's top tip for swift airport check-ins
What are the essential elements of great racing circuit?
SP: Risk. A good level of risk. That makes all the difference. Something like Monaco: if you make a mistake you are in the wall. Singapore is the same. These kind of tracks.
What app is it essential to have on your phone?
SP: Google Maps. To always find my destination! (laughs)
What are the essential qualities of a team boss?
SP: That he understands what’s happening in the team and in this business. I have been very lucky to have had the team bosses I’ve had in the past.
What are your essential requirements at a hotel?
SP: A non-smoking room. I hate if a room smells of smoke. We are always in good hotels, so I cannot complain about the quality - it is always high.
What is the essential Grand Prix every fan should attend at least once in their lifetime?
SP: Mexico City, of course!
What are your essentials for a good night’s sleep?
SP: A really good dinner with lots of good laughs.
What are the essential items you must have with you while travelling?
SP: Passport and phone - nothing else.
What is essential to help you wake up in the morning?
SP: I hate to wake up so I always choose a nice tune for my alarm. But then once a song has woken me up I don’t like it any longer… (laughs)
Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India celebrates on the podium with the trophy at Formula One World Championship, Rd15, Russian Grand Prix, Race, Sochi Autodrom, Sochi, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, Sunday 11 October 2015.
Being down to earth is the quality that gets you furthest.
Sergio Perez's advice for the aspiring F1 driver
What is the essential corner in F1 racing?
SP: The Swimming Pool in Monaco.
What are the essential parts of your training regime?
SP: I do a bit of everything - cycling, running… I like running more, but I think cycling is really effective. At the races I spend two hours a day training. In pre-season probably five hours a day.
What is the personal quality most essential for success in F1 racing?
SP: A good attitude and being down to earth. We see that some people are pretty political, but when you look back being down to earth is the quality that gets you furthest.
What is your essential tip for the aspiring F1 driver?
SP: Firstly, to be fast enough. Many drivers make it into F1, but only short term. The turnover is rather high. Then to be able to develop yourself weekend after weekend, year after year.
