Perez OUT of Mexican GP as home hero’s race ends after first corner crash
Sergio Perez made contact with Charles Leclerc on the opening lap of the Mexican Grand Prix.
After making contact with Charles Leclerc on lap one of the Mexican Grand Prix, Sergio Perez’s home race ended tragically on Sunday afternoon.
The homegrown hero had a fantastic start, moving up from fifth position on the grid fast to challenge Leclerc and teammate Max Verstappen into the first corner.
Sadly for Checo, everything went wrong when he made an early turn around Leclerc’s Ferrari, which launched him into the air and caused him to spin into the turn-one run-off.
The 33-year-old managed to return his RB19 to the pit lane as Red Bull mechanics worked to attempt to send the Mexican back out on track, but it was no use as Perez’s home race came to a heartbreaking end.
Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle offered his insight into the collision, explaining: “That’s just what happens if you try to go around the outside into Turn One. Leclerc can’t go any further right and look at the damage on the sidepod on Perez’s car.”
Leclerc didn’t emerge from the incident unscathed either. The Ferrari driver’s front wing endplate was hanging off for the following couple of laps before it detached completely, bringing out the virtual safety car.
Verstappen was the true winner of the disastrous first lap. The current world champion had a great launch and moved up to the lead at turn one despite starting third on the grid.
However, this was a complete and utter failure for Checo. He had underperformed in Suzuka, Qatar, and Texas, so he was already under a lot of pressure going into this weekend. .
