Perez: "Italian atmosphere similar to Mexico"

Sergio Perez has likened the atmosphere surrounding the Italian Grand Prix to the event in Mexico, where the Force India driver receives plenty of support. Monza will host the thirteenth round of the 2017 World Championship this weekend, with Perez highly looking forward to getting out on track.

"I love Italy and I love Monza," he said. "It’s one of my favourite weekends of the season and the Tifosi are amazing – they make such a special atmosphere. All the passion you feel throughout the weekend is very special. Also the track is great – you get to experience truly high speeds; you arrive very fast into the corners, with very low downforce, and it’s going to be very interesting in these 2017 cars."

Perez has good memories of Monza, coming across the line in second place in 2012 to record his third career podium. The Mexican will be hoping to bounce back with a strong result after a disappointing DNF in Belgium, coming at the expense of hitting his teammate.

"In many ways Italy is quite similar to the Mexico race in terms of the atmosphere and passion of the fans at the circuit. I’ve had some special days in Monza too, when I finished on the podium in 2012 and beat both the Ferraris. I guess that wasn’t great for the tifosi but I still received a lot of support when I was standing on the podium.”

Fergal Walsh