Red Bull’s Sergio Perez for the first time is a legitimate chance to win his home grand prix at this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix. PHOTO: Red Bull content pool

SERGIO Perez’s hopes of a dream home grand prix win might play second fiddle to Red Bull’s world championship aspirations at this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.

Red Bull’s tail-gunner to World Championship contender Max Verstappen, Perez has played his role to the letter with a two-race streak of podium finishes in Turkey and the US.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged the timeliness of Perez’s US Grand Prix podium finish.

“He’s finding his form, which is crucial at this time of the year.” Horner said.

Perez was circumspect about his chances and he might need to put the team first in this Sunday’s race.

“I think it will be a great problem to have from my side, you know?” Perez said.

“It always depends on the situation, because most of the decisions are normally taken during the race, during the heat of the event, so I think that depending on the circumstances, we’ll see. But I’m pretty sure the whole team, Red Bull, everyone, wants me to win this weekend.

“We’ll see through the race, but I’m pretty sure that everyone in this team… if there’s a race they want me to win, it’s this one. So, I’m sure I’ll have full support from everyone in my team.”

For the first time in his Formula 1 career Perez has a legitimate chance to win and be the first native in the history of the history of the Mexican Grand Prix to step on the podium.

Perez’s best result so far has been P7 in 2017 and 2019 with Force India and Racing Point.

An anomaly in the world championship, the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit’s altitude could see significant power and performance losses across the grid.

And the conditions could suit Perez’s renowned easy-on-the-tyres driving could meaning the Mexican could have plenty in reserve in terms of strategy to make his move in the race.

Perez’ was confident his weekend would rely on a strong qualifying performance.

“I really want to carry on my form,” Perez said.

“I’m feeling more at home now, with the team, with the car, and I really hope I can put a great Saturday [together].

“Here, overtaking is generally very hard. We put a lot of demand on the brakes, on the engine, so it’s always a very tricky race if you’re not at the front.

“So, I look forward to putting a good qualifying [together].”

But with teammate Verstappen just 12 points ahead in the drivers’ title fight against Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, the stakes are high for Red Bull to maximise its haul of points from the weekend.

FP1 for the Mexico City Grand Prix begins 4am (ACDST) on November 6.