Formula 1 is currently being compared to the Nintendo classic “Mario Kart” and Cadillac driver Sergio Perez also jokes in the China race: “I need a mushroom”
Formula 1 can’t get away from its comparison with the classic Nintendo game “Mario Kart” at the Chinese Grand Prix either: during the race, which was won by Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli, Cadillac driver Sergio Perez once again took the opportunity to humorously criticize the new cars.
The Mexican, who had to fight his way back to the front after a spin at the start, wanted to overtake his team-mate Valtteri Bottas when the energy in his battery was exhausted and the support of the electric motor suddenly stopped.
Perez had no chance in the duel against the Finn: “I need a mushroom now,” joked the long-time Red Bull driver, who is now probably nicknamed “Scherzio” Perez, on the team radio. “He has disappeared. I don’t know what happened.” By his own account, the Cadillac driver lost around five seconds on the competition in this situation.
Sergio Perez does not like the regulations
In the end, Perez finished in 15th place. A result that is unlikely to have improved his opinion of the new Formula 1 regulations. “To be honest, I found it very artificial,” said the 36-year-old on Thursday before the race. Overtaking will only be possible “at the touch of a button” in future.
“You overtake and then get overtaken again,” the Mexican reported on his first impressions from Melbourne. It was very much “in the style of Mario Kart”. At the end of the day, the driver can also make the difference, says Perez, but it is “still very early days with these rules.”
“But what we saw in Melbourne – I’m speaking as a fan here – I didn’t like it.” The Cadillac driver is not alone in this: Max Verstappen’s frustration is now well known, and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc also drew the Mario Kart comparison at the season opener in Australia, prompting Ferrari to make a funny joke.
