For the first time in five years, Formula One motor racing returns to the United States next weekend, and Guadalajara’s Sergio “Checo” Perez will be lapping up the support of many Mexican attendees.
The penultimate Grand Prix of the 2012 season takes place at the brand new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas from November 16 to 18. Purpose built for Formula One, the 3.4-mile track was proposed in 2010. Aside from hosting the first U.S. Grand Prix since Indianapolis 2007, it will be used for the Texas Motorcycle Grand Prix, a round of MotoGP, the Australian V8 Supercars series, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the American Le Mans Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series.
With no U.S. drivers currently competing in Formula One, Perez will be one of the weekend’s biggest draws. Austin’s proximity to Mexico, plus the huge Mexican population residing in Texas and its neighbor states, means this will feel almost like a homecoming for the Tapatio.“It’s going to be a very special weekend. I’ve never raced so close to home before,” Perez said this week.
Perez now sits 10th in the 2012 World Championship rankings, with 66 points. After completing his second year in Formula One he will move from team Sauber to McLaren-Mercedes ahead of the 2013 season.