Roaring Engines
Leon Kaufmann
The most recent race I went to was the 2021 US GP in Austin, Texas, and the moment we got there, the Texan spirit was out. The booms from fireworks made my ears ring. The cowboy costumes are all over the track. On Saturday qualifying took place, whereby the order of fastest laps, and the grid for Sunday’s race will be decided. I was supporting my fellow countrymen Checo. In the first two rounds of qualifying, he was first, so my blood was racing when I saw him getting good times in the first sector of the track, but in the end, I left disappointed when he only got third.
I remember entering the stands on Sunday and seeing all the passionate fans waiting to see if their drivers would win. The orange army supporting Max takes over a full grandstand, a wall of orange shirts, and screams that you can’t ignore. Then you have the Mexican fans (including me) all over the place, wearing sombreros, flying the flag, shouting obscenities, and chugging beer like there’s no tomorrow. By the end of the race, I think there were more beer cans on the floor than any other trash combined. Of course, you have the American F1 fans, from modest people only wearing the cap of their favorite driver, to full-blown cowboys with actual revolvers. Luckily, they only used blank rounds so no one got hurt when they shot their guns, but I was still startled and thought that I might not get to finish watching the first lap if their favorite driver crashed. You had the popcorn guy that had enough to feed a family of five for a week, I wonder how he finished all the popcorn in two hours and fifty minutes. I was a fully decked-out F1 fan, with classic caps and a Red Bull shirt, I would’ve probably bought one to support Checo.
The race began and Lewis pushed Max off the track where Max rejoined second, you could hear the orange wall groan and boo Lewis. A fierce battle between the McLarens and Sainz’s Ferrari, they pushed each other like it was the last lap and they were fighting for the win. My whole aisle was cheering on for the battle where Sainz won. Max decided to take an undercut on Lewis. An undercut is when you go to the pits very early so that you can use the newer tires with better grip to overtake your rival without having to pass them on track, instead you gain time on them. Max ended up being in front of Lewis when he left the pits, but it could be a mistake since Lewis has newer tires and can catch up. The whole track was checking the gap between Max and Lewis. Every lap that passed, Lewis caught up to Max by a slight margin and on the last lap he could attack. The race froze for me, the excited fans jumping from their seat to see the winner. The cars seemed to take forever to come by. End of the straight and hope to see the winner. A burning fire ran through my veins and the pumps of my heart equaled those of the pistons on the engine. Next thing a see is a Red Bull car by itself. Max won the race. The orange wall started throwing flares and smoke to celebrate, even though the race wasn’t over. Lewis couldn’t pass Max anywhere else on the track so that’s where it ended. A victorious dutchman who put himself far enough for the British to not pass him. This would’ve been my year had it not been for what happened at dinner that night.
Checo is my favorite F1 driver, ever since I was little, I was a fan. My dad says I used to call him “Checo Ferez” instead of Checo Perez. My first GP was the Belgium GP in the 2011 season, his first season. After that, I never let myself not be a fan of his, in the highs of 2012 where he got three podiums in a midfield team to the lows of 2013, 2018, and 2020 where his place in F1 wasn’t guaranteed. I always tried to have Checo merchandise, if it was a cap or a shirt, Checo was synonymous with F1 for me. My most prized possession was a signed cap for me by Checo from when he raced at Force India (a team that has been replaced).
I was eating dinner at Fogo De Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse. I had a filet mignon and was ready to go to the hotel when I hear my dad say “that’s Checo’s manager”. I rushed to say hi and asked if I could meet Checo, he said “yeah, but he’s leaving soon”, I run to my dad to tell him to take me but we arrived to late. Outside the restaurant we see him. The driver that made me a fan of the sport. Checo in all his glory, standing there. I was too nervous to ask but my dad said “May we have a picture?” and Checo responded, “yeah, no problem”. My brain was about to go loose but I managed to stay still for the photo. Once I got into the hotel I couldn’t stop my excitement, it was a starving dog getting thrown into a room full of meat. I ran and ran until I fell unconscious.
The 2021 US GP brought some memories that I may never forget but it also brought my greatest achievement up until a few days ago: Meeting my idol. Though the exact memories of the race may be lost, the excitement of the fans seeing their countrymen compete in the pinnacle of motorsport may be an experience that can only be replicated in the biggest sporting events. But, nothing will surpass my memory of meeting Checo. Though days pass, and years fly, there is something that will forever have me tied to 2021.
I remember entering the stands on Sunday and seeing all the passionate fans waiting to see if their drivers would win. The orange army supporting Max takes over a full grandstand, a wall of orange shirts, and screams that you can’t ignore. Then you have the Mexican fans (including me) all over the place, wearing sombreros, flying the flag, shouting obscenities, and chugging beer like there’s no tomorrow. By the end of the race, I think there were more beer cans on the floor than any other trash combined. Of course, you have the American F1 fans, from modest people only wearing the cap of their favorite driver, to full-blown cowboys with actual revolvers. Luckily, they only used blank rounds so no one got hurt when they shot their guns, but I was still startled and thought that I might not get to finish watching the first lap if their favorite driver crashed. You had the popcorn guy that had enough to feed a family of five for a week, I wonder how he finished all the popcorn in two hours and fifty minutes. I was a fully decked-out F1 fan, with classic caps and a Red Bull shirt, I would’ve probably bought one to support Checo.
The race began and Lewis pushed Max off the track where Max rejoined second, you could hear the orange wall groan and boo Lewis. A fierce battle between the McLarens and Sainz’s Ferrari, they pushed each other like it was the last lap and they were fighting for the win. My whole aisle was cheering on for the battle where Sainz won. Max decided to take an undercut on Lewis. An undercut is when you go to the pits very early so that you can use the newer tires with better grip to overtake your rival without having to pass them on track, instead you gain time on them. Max ended up being in front of Lewis when he left the pits, but it could be a mistake since Lewis has newer tires and can catch up. The whole track was checking the gap between Max and Lewis. Every lap that passed, Lewis caught up to Max by a slight margin and on the last lap he could attack. The race froze for me, the excited fans jumping from their seat to see the winner. The cars seemed to take forever to come by. End of the straight and hope to see the winner. A burning fire ran through my veins and the pumps of my heart equaled those of the pistons on the engine. Next thing a see is a Red Bull car by itself. Max won the race. The orange wall started throwing flares and smoke to celebrate, even though the race wasn’t over. Lewis couldn’t pass Max anywhere else on the track so that’s where it ended. A victorious dutchman who put himself far enough for the British to not pass him. This would’ve been my year had it not been for what happened at dinner that night.
Checo is my favorite F1 driver, ever since I was little, I was a fan. My dad says I used to call him “Checo Ferez” instead of Checo Perez. My first GP was the Belgium GP in the 2011 season, his first season. After that, I never let myself not be a fan of his, in the highs of 2012 where he got three podiums in a midfield team to the lows of 2013, 2018, and 2020 where his place in F1 wasn’t guaranteed. I always tried to have Checo merchandise, if it was a cap or a shirt, Checo was synonymous with F1 for me. My most prized possession was a signed cap for me by Checo from when he raced at Force India (a team that has been replaced).
I was eating dinner at Fogo De Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse. I had a filet mignon and was ready to go to the hotel when I hear my dad say “that’s Checo’s manager”. I rushed to say hi and asked if I could meet Checo, he said “yeah, but he’s leaving soon”, I run to my dad to tell him to take me but we arrived to late. Outside the restaurant we see him. The driver that made me a fan of the sport. Checo in all his glory, standing there. I was too nervous to ask but my dad said “May we have a picture?” and Checo responded, “yeah, no problem”. My brain was about to go loose but I managed to stay still for the photo. Once I got into the hotel I couldn’t stop my excitement, it was a starving dog getting thrown into a room full of meat. I ran and ran until I fell unconscious.
The 2021 US GP brought some memories that I may never forget but it also brought my greatest achievement up until a few days ago: Meeting my idol. Though the exact memories of the race may be lost, the excitement of the fans seeing their countrymen compete in the pinnacle of motorsport may be an experience that can only be replicated in the biggest sporting events. But, nothing will surpass my memory of meeting Checo. Though days pass, and years fly, there is something that will forever have me tied to 2021.
Here am I with Checo. I honestly to this day have no words to fully describe meeting him in person. I will attend (or have attended depending when you're reading this) the 2023 US GP. I hope to create more memories in F1 but if not I think I have enough for a lifetime. 10/24/21 a date that I will never forget. Can't wait to see which F1 driver I'll meet next.