Ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix Sahara Force India drivers Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg took inter-team rivalry to a new level as they put their culinary skills to the test during an old-school Mexican cook off. The event was created by the organisers of the Mexican Grand Prix to celebrate the return of F1 to Mexico City later this year (November 1st) following a 23-year hiatus.
World-class Mexican Chef Ruben Boldo Villegas was tasked with guiding the two racing drivers through a live demonstration in the Sahara Force India team building in front of a select gathering of the world’s F1 press, following which the attending media had the chance to taste some of the traditional Mexican delicacies prepared by the drivers.
The event is part of a wider campaign to highlight the return of the Mexican Grand Prix to the FIA F1 World Championship calendar for 2015, various events are planned at F1 Grand Prix´s around the world and regionally within Mexico. The return of the Grand Prix has been welcomed by the F1 community and fans globally and it also has a huge personal significance for countryman Sergio Perez who can’t wait to compete in front of his home crowd.
Commenting Sergio Perez said: “Food is so important to my culture and I really enjoyed the session with Chef Ruben, although it was a little nerve wracking prepping food in front of the media. I left Mexico when I was 14 and I’ve never raced there, it’s hard to put into words quite how excited I am about the Mexican Grand Prix. The organisers have fought hard to have the race put back on the calendar and I know how passionate and spirited the fans are in my country - I can’t wait to experience it.”
Team mate Nico Hulkenberg (DE) added: “It’s been great to bring a flavour of Mexico to the F1 Paddock. The F1 community is always buzzing when a new race is added or an old venue returns to the calendar but I get the feeling that people have a special affection for Mexico City. Taking part in the challenge today was good fun because I love food - it’s one of life’s great pleasures and it’s been fun to watch and learn from such a pro.”
During the event Rodrigo Sanchez, the Director of Marketing for the Formula 1 Gran Premio de México was on hand to provide the drivers with words of encouragement and give guests a flavour of what’s to come ahead of the Mexican GP. “One thing has become abundantly clear to me as I travel around with F1 as an ambassador for the Mexican Grand Prix - people have a special affinity for Mexico and the Mexican people - whenever anyone talks to me about the race in November they smile. It’s no secret that as a nation we are extremely loyal and emotional in a very positive way, there’s no better demonstration of this passion than sport so I think the F1 fraternity is in for a treat when they arrive, it will be like a homecoming, especially for Sergio and fellow Mexican driver Esteban (Gutierrez),” said Sanchez. He added: “The event is so much more for us than a competition, it’s a chance to showcase our magical city and the entire country as a unique tourist destination with so many appealing and diverse attractions. The whole team back in Mexico City have worked so hard to bring together a spectacular event making the most of the global platform which comes from F1.The team responsible for redesigning the track have done a phenomenal job in retaining the old charm and the challenges of the track the drivers are so fond of whilst bringing it right up to date with current day requirements. The result is a circuit that we believe drivers, F1 fans and tourists alike will fall hopelessly in love with.”
Further events supporting the Gran Premio de Mexico 2015 are planned over the coming months with more details to be released in due course. A wide variety of ticketing and hospitality options are still available for all enquiries, please visit: http://www.ahr.mx or
email us at sales@ahr.mx.
-ENDS
For further media enquiries and additional images, please contact: Rodrigo Sanchez –
rsanchezp@cie.com.mx
