Esteban Gutierrez says 33-year-old F1 driver is now the most famous sportsperson in his country

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Mercedes development driver Esteban Gutierrez has been raving about Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez and suggested he’s now the most famous sportsperson in Mexico.

Gutierrez was speaking on the F1 Nation Podcast off the back of his home race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Unfortunately, Sunday’s Grand Prix couldn’t have gone much worse for the unbelievable home crowd.

They watched their hero Sergio Perez launch brilliantly off the line and attempt to pull off a heroic overtake around the first corner on Charles Leclerc.

Unfortunately, he was sent flying through the air by the Monegasque and had to retire due to damage to his car.

The audible sound of shock could be heard around the circuit as the racing incident ended the 33-year-old’s race.

He still received a huge ovation from the crowd when entering the stadium section of the track at the end of the Grand Prix.

Esteban Gutierrez has now suggested that Perez is the most famous sportsperson in Mexico.

Considering how mad the country is about football, baseball, basketball and more, that’s a huge achievement.

Gutierrez says Perez is Mexico’s most famous sportsperson

Speaking about his fellow countryman, Gutierrez was asked if Perez was the most famous sportsman in the country and said: “Yes, I think so.

“He’s done really well and being in a platform like Red Bull with a good car, achieving the results that he has achieved representing Mexico, it’s certainly a position that he’s maximising.

“He’s doing a good job on track but also outside of the track commercially.”

The question on everyone’s lips right now is how much longer will Perez be returning to his home country as a Red Bull driver.

Martin Brundle shared his verdict during last weekend’s race and Fernando Alonso has been touted as a possible replacement.

F1 fans in Mexico would love to see Perez and Gutierrez on the grid together going forward, but the latter is unlikely to be returning to the sport any time soon.

They will be desperate for Perez to keep his seat at Red Bull too as that would give him the best chance of going forward of finally winning a home Grand Prix.