Sergio Perez heads anti-Trump campaign

Mexican Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez is leading a campaign in his native country against US president Donald Trump, who has been very vocal lately about who can and who can't enter the US.

Perez considers himself a true patriot, as back in November he sacked his new sunglasses sponsor after they tweeted a joke about building a wall after Trump's election victory. Perez said :"I will never let anyone mock my country."

Now, the Force India driver has the backing of the Mexican Grand Prix organizers to promote the campaign to build "BridgesNotWalls" which has trended on social media.

Perez posed at the circuit in Mexico City, where sponsor bridges have been decked out with the official F1 logo and the political anti-wall hashtag.

"It represents many Mexican motor sport fans' views currently," the race organizers said. Although the campaign does not name Trump specifically, Perez had earlier made clear his view about the US election outcome to the Spanish newspaper El Pais.

"Rather than worrying, I believe Mexicans must be united and well informed to keep our country on track," he said. "2018 is presidential election year in Mexico and it is then that we can raise our voices."

Fergal Walsh