Eulogies were thrown around liberally in the sporting realm last weekend when Guadalajara-born Formula One race driver Sergio “Checo” Perez finished third in the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, thus guaranteeing second position in the 2023 F1driver’s championship - the best-ever showing by a Mexican driver.

With one race left on the calendar this weekend in Abu Dhabi, Perez cannot be caught by third-placed Lewis Hamilton.

The championship winner, Perez’s Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen, was decided several races ago. The Dutchman has been unstoppable, winning nine races in a row, including Sunday’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.

In 13 seasons in Formula One, Perez has driven for five different teams (Sauber, McLaren, Force India, Racing Point and Red Bull), totaling 260 races, with 35 podiums and six victories.

There has been much speculation that this would be Perez’s last season with Red Bull, even though he has another year left on his contract. Some poor performances during the middle part of the year led some race journalists to question his commitment to the team.