Esteban Gutiérrez returned to Reforma two years later.
The pilot drove his new car from Techeetah team, along one of the main avenues of Mexico City, to test it ahead of the ePrix of the capital on Saturday, April 1st, at the Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome.
But the demonstration was not only for the people, the Monterrey native had not driven his new monoplace, and all his contact with electric cars had been through the simulator, until the distance between Diana Cazadora and Estela de Luz became a luxury testing track for the Monterrey native.
"It is a new stage in my career, with which I am very happy and grateful, and I will race as best as possible for Mexico. It will be a challenge to arrive at the event without testing the car, because this was my first approach, but what better than on Paseo de la Reforma, with all the fans. I will adapt as quickly as possible, to try to fight for the top positions," he said.
The Mexican pilot had driven a car from the Ferrari Formula One team in 2015, also on Reforma, as part of the activities prior to the Mexican Grand Prix, and after spending 2016 in the top category, he is ready to make his debut in the electric series, even though the season already has three events.
"(In the car) I felt very good, better than I expected. We have been preparing the seat for a few weeks, and yesterday (Saturday) we prepared a second one. Today (Sunday) we tested the car and everything went very well. The first thing is to feel comfortable, and everything else will come naturally," he said.
Esteban will have an intense week, as he will race at the Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome on Saturday, in the second occasion that Formula E lands in Mexico, and he will do it with the Techeetah car, which arrives after achieving second place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with Frenchman Jean-Éric Vergne behind the wheel.
"I am not worried about the adaptation, but I know it will be a challenge. The important thing is to feel comfortable, enjoy it, and everything else will come. I will fight, do my job, and give the best possible for Mexico."
People gathered early in the streets of Reforma, and although there were no long lines that were observed with the Ferrari two years ago, they were able to enjoy the five laps that Esteban gave, including one in which he carried the flag of Mexico, which fell a few meters later, and after a autograph session in the middle of the Avenue.
"I invite you to join us on Saturday, because the Esteban Gutiérrez stand is 2x1, and I hope to have the presence of the fans to achieve a good result for Mexico," commented the driver.
The exhibition coincided with the start of the Formula One season in Australia, and although Esteban reiterated that he does not rule out returning to the Grand Circus, for now he focuses on running the rest of the campaign in the electric category.
"I have many friends, I will remain in contact, going to some races. The door is not closed, but I wanted to continue racing and give myself these months to enjoy Formula E and see what will come. The series has a great future, potential. Many manufacturers are coming, and that indicates that in the coming years it will be one of the most important," he concluded.
QUOTES
"(Formula E) is the new trend, what we need in the world, taking care of our environment."
"It is difficult to make the comparison (with F1), but it remains a racing car, and it is the future."
Esteban Gutiérrez
Techeetah pilot