Mexican Formula 1 driver Sergio 'Checo' Pérez sparked controversy by declaring his support for Club América and downplaying the teams from his hometown, Guadalajara. The statements come as Guadalajara Chivas sits fourth in Liga MX with 11 points, just two behind leaders América.
Amid the 2026 Formula 1 season, the Mobil brand ambassador made strong statements about his football preference. "I am from Guadalajara, and we don't have very good teams here." Pérez said. The driver, who returned to the category after a sabbatical year and now races for the young American team Cadillac, thus showed a passion for football he had previously displayed by supporting the Mexican national team during the 2026 World Cup.
His comment contrasts with the current moment of the Rebaño Sagrado. The red-and-white team is unbeaten in its last five matches, with a run of three wins and two draws, and has a positive record of 9 goals scored and 6 conceded. This good form solidifies them in the title race, as seen on our standings page.
The controversial words from the Guadalajara native came after a difficult outing at the Dutch Grand Prix, where he finished in fifteenth place. His next appointment is at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, one of the most iconic circuits on the calendar, where Pérez has achieved two podiums throughout his career. He secured a second place in 2012 with Sauber and repeated the feat in 2023 driving for Red Bull.
While the driver prepares for the Italian race, Chivas faces its next league match after drawing 1-1 against Pachuca on August 29. The team managed by Fernando Gago will look to extend its positive run in its next fixture.
The club's immediate schedule takes them to visit Atlético San Luis on September 5. The opponent sits in sixteenth place in the table, representing an opportunity for Chivas to earn three vital points in its pursuit of América. A win could bring them even closer to the top, depending on other results.
The team shows defensive and offensive solidity in this early stage of the tournament, with a +3 goal difference. Fans can follow the squad's evolution and detailed numbers in our stats section. The collective performance seems to contradict the general assessment made by the F1 driver about local football.
Statements from a public figure of Checo Pérez's stature inevitably fuel the historic rivalry between América and Chivas. Hailing from the same city that hosts the Rebaño, his choice to support the capital rival adds another chapter to this feud. His argument of looking for "the best team in Mexico" clashes with the current league reality, where the difference in the standings is minimal.
The current sporting context proves Chivas is a direct competitor. With an unbeaten streak and positioned in playoff spots, the team has demonstrated quality. The squad, which you can review in our squad section, now focuses on preparing for the match against San Luis to maintain pressure on the leaders and, in passing, respond on the pitch to external comments.
