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Perez preps for huge Mexican GP weekend

Sergio Perez will once again be cast in the role of the 'local hero' next weekend when the Force India driver enters his home Grand Prix in Mexico City.

Perez' workload over the weekend is set to increase ten-fold as 'Checo' responds to the many solicitations associated with his high status, but it's likely the demands won't take much away from the sheer pleasure of racing on home soil.

"I have no doubt this year’s event will be even better than last year - expectations are huge following the success of 2015," Perez enthused.

"For me, the biggest surprise was the passion of the fans: all the affection I received, all the messages and all the incredible moments I experienced are what really made an impression on me. I am so happy to go back there."

Although a native from Guadalajara, Perez admits to being a big fan of Mexico's metropolis.

"Mexico City may be quite far from my city of Guadalajara, but I go there very often for professional reasons.

"It’s a city I love and there’s so much going on: the best restaurants, so many sights and so many things to do. It is a huge city and sometimes traffic makes going from one side of town to the other feel like an adventure!

"It is, not surprisingly, one of my favourite moments in the season and last year’s was special not just for me, but for my team and for anyone who came to the race."

Force India will be seeking to preserve its provisional advantage over Williams in the Constructors championship, and Perez will hopefully be the right man in the right place come Sunday to defend the team's lead.

"The track itself is brilliant: my two favourite parts are the fast esses and the Foro Sol. It’s a very technical circuit, with some tricky corners: at the speeds we are doing, managing the car is very complicated and it’s important not to lose your rhythm.

"There is no key place where you can make or break your lap, except perhaps the slow section inside the stadium: you have to nail the combinations of corners to be able to string together a good lap.

"I am really looking forward to trying the track surface – last year, the asphalt was completely new, so this year it should be a big improvement."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.