Forget Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton – there's a new Formula 1 hero in town as the series heads to Mexico this weekend.
Everywhere else, it is the above pair who receive most of the attention from the locals. But not here – this is Sergio Perez country, and he is the main attraction once again as F1 fever sweeps across Mexico City and the rest of the country.
And that was evidenced by the number of people who turned out to catch a glimpse of the Red Bull racer at an event in his hometown Guadalajara. Perez was speaking to media while fans watched on as one overexcited young boy sprinted towards the driver in the hope of getting an autograph.
Security were quick to clock the boy, who was quickly stopped from being able to get close to his idol. But Perez quickly stopped his interview to gesture to officials that he would be happy to let the fan approach.
After handing the driver a cap to be signed, he took out his phone with a huge smile and Perez obliged by posting for a selfie. A clip of the incident was shared on social media, leaving many fans pleased that he had taken the time.
"That's the way to respond to a fan – great gesture Checo Perez, bravo," wrote one. Another said: "The humanity of Checo, you are an idol to the whole world."
But some were also concerned about setting a bad example to other fans. "Good for Checo, he was a child, but you have to be aware and make people aware (children included) to prevent these situations from happening, more than anything to maintain order," reasoned one fan.
Judging by the incredible reaction when Perez finished on the podium last year, the Mexican crowd would go ballistic if he were to win his home race this time around. But one of his biggest rivals for that will be is team-mate Verstappen, who has already made it clear he won't be doing any favours for the home hero.
Asked if what would happen if one the last lap of the race he found himself leading with Perez just behind in second place, Verstappen replied: "I'm winning – he is anyway outscoring Charles [Leclerc, in that case], so that's all he needs. Let's see. Anyway, first we have to be that competitive. We don't know yet."
