As a prelude to the Spanish Grand Prix on May 9 and 10, Sergio Pérez and Nico Hulkenberg, drivers from Sahara Force India, took their inner rivalry beyond, when testing their culinary skills, the old-fashion way, on a Mexican cuisine contest. The idea of this event came from the Grand Prix Organizers, as a celebration of the F1 comeback to Mexico City this year, on November 1, after a 23-year absence. The world-renowned Mexican chef, Rubén Boldo Villegas, from Mexcla in Barcelona, was given the task of guiding these drivers, during a demonstration held in live broadcast from the Sahara Force India team’s building in front of a select group of F1 international reporters. After the demonstration the attending media had the opportunity to taste some of the traditional Mexican delicacies cooked by the drivers. The event forms part of a large-scale campaign whose objective is to promote the return of the Grand Prix to Mexico in 2015 to the FIA F1 world championship calendar. As part of this campaign, different events at global and regional levels have been programmed- in Mexico-. This comeback has been well received by the community and F1 followers all around the world, besides representing an enormous personal value to the Mexican, Sergio Pérez, who is willing to compete before the audience in his country. Sergio Pérez stated: “Food is really important in my culture and I truly enjoyed the session with Chef Rubén, although I got quite nervous when preparing the meals in front of the reporters”. As for the F1 return to his country, he said: “I left Mexico when I was 14 years old and I have never competed there, so it is hard to express in words how excited I am with the Mexican Grand Prix Mexico return. The organizers have made an effort to put the race back on the calendar and I know how passionate and enthusiastic the fans in my country are. I can’t wait to live that experience”. His team mate, the German Nico Hulkenberg, added: “The F1 community always gets excited when a new race is included in the calendar or when an old circuit returns, but I have the feeling that people have a particular affection for Mexico City”. As for the activity, he pointed: “It has been extraordinary to bring the Mexican taste to the F1 paddock. Participating on this challenge today has been fun, for I love food, it is one of the biggest pleasures in life, and I’ve had fun watching and learning along with such high-level professional” During the event, the F1 Grand Prix Marketing Director, Rodrigo Sánchez, attended the event encouraging the drivers, and offered to the guests an advance of what it’s about to come at the Mexican Grand Prix. “Travelling with the F1 as the Mexican Grand Prix Ambassador, has left me something perfectly clear: people feel a special love for Mexico and for Mexicans, and every time someone talks about the race to happen in November, they make it with a big smile on their faces” he said. “It is known that we are an extremely loyal and an emotional in a positive way, nation and there is no better proof of that passion, than sports, so I think that F1 brotherhood is going to be delighted when it occurs, it will feel like homecoming, especially for Sergio and his Mexican colleague, Esteban (Gutiérrez)”, Sánchez said. Right away he said: “For us this event means much more than just a simple competition, it is the opportunity to show our magical city, and our entire country as a unique tourist destination with many different and interesting attractions”. He said “All the staff in Mexico City was worked really hard to make a spectacular event, exploiting the global platform that comes with the F1”. Finally he comment, “The team responsible of redesigning the track has made a phenomenal work to keep the old charm and the characteristic challenges of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez that drivers enjoy so much, and at the same time adjusting it to the current requirements. The result is a circuit that we think is going to delight drivers, F1 audience and tourists equally”. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SUTTON IMAGES and JAMES MOY