Guadalajara-born racing driver Sergio “Checo” Perez last Sunday finally completed a ten-year quest and lifelong dream: to stand on the winner’s podium of  a Formula One race.

The 31-year-old was unable to hold back tears as the Mexican national anthem played in honor of his triumph in the Sakhir (Bahrain) Grand Prix.

Perez is the first Mexican to win a Formula One race since Pedro Rodriguez triumphed in the Belgian Grand Prix in 1970 – only the second in this nation’s history.

“I worked my whole life for a moment like this,” Perez said shortly after receiving his trophy. “To have this kind of happiness for many Mexicans means a lot to me.”

Perez has a massive support base in his home city and around the country, and is feted each year by thousands of fans at the Mexican Grand Prix, which was canceled this year due to the Covid pandemic.

Perez’s drive to victory in Sakhir was all the more remarkable because he was relegated to the back of the field after another car crashed into his on the opening lap.

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