What Sergio Perez’s fans were singing at him on his return to the Mexico City Grand Prix

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Sergio Perez needs all the help he can if he’s going to retain his seat at Red Bull Racing beyond the end of this season.

The Mexico City Grand Prix – previously known as the Mexican Grand Prix until 2019 – is preparing to host its 25th race in Formula 1.

It’s a race Red Bull driver Max Verstappen loves, having won it five times including on his last three visits to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Sergio Perez also has happy memories of his home race and has twice stood on the iconic podium in the grandstand area of the track surrounded by his fans.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Perez was unable to take advantage of Red Bull’s significant pace advantage last season.

He only qualified fifth and started behind Daniel Ricciardo’s AlphaTauri but had a brilliant getaway off the line.

Unfortunately, he misjudged a move on Charles Leclerc that prematurely ended his race after being sent flying into the air.

This year, Perez arrives under significant pressure to prove to Red Bull that he’s the right man to partner Verstappen beyond the end of this season.

Murmurings of Perez potentially retiring from F1 aren’t going away but he’ll want to produce a defiant performance at his home race.

A report from Record has shared more details about the reception Perez received on his return to Mexico City.

Despite his difficult campaign, he still has the full support of his home fans.

Sergio Perez receives a hero’s welcome ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix

The report from Record says the ‘party has already started’ ahead of the 20th race weekend of the F1 season in Mexico.

Hundreds of people came out to welcome Perez at the Plaza Carso where Telcel – one of Perez’s biggest sponsors – is based.

Perez’s name was sung throughout the event, and they reportedly didn’t stop signing his customary ‘Viejo sabroso’ chant.

The term translates to ‘tasty old man’ and has followed Perez around for several years now.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname

It originates from a Spanish-language meme based on the anime Dragon Ball Z but is now also synonymous with the Mexican driver.

When asked about it in the past, Perez has said: “I can laugh about it. I see they call me ‘Viejo Sabroso’ a lot, but I’m still not that old!”

Sergio Perez facing battle with Liam Lawson for 2025 Red Bull seat

Despite only taking part in one Grand Prix this season, Liam Lawson has emerged as one of the favourites to replace Perez if he loses his Red Bull seat.

The young Kiwi hasn’t had the easiest time getting onto the grid this year.

After acting as Red Bull and RB’s reserve driver up until the Singapore Grand Prix, he then forced the difficult task of replacing Daniel Ricciardo.

Ricciardo was one of F1’s most popular drivers and the comments on Lawson’s social media posts were full of fans questioning his position.

Lawson could replace Perez next season if he fulfils one criterion and Perez’s performances don’t improve.

If that were to happen, then the messages he received after replacing Ricciardo would be dwarfed in comparison to the feedback he would receive from the Mexican’s fanbase.

However, one of Perez’s biggest financial supporters is Carlos Slim who has already identified another driver he would support if Perez was finally let go by Red Bull.