Rafael Villagómez is currently preparing for the final phase of the Formula 2 season. But before the Van Amersfoort Racing driver returns to the cockpit, we ask him some important questions.
From his home in Mexico to life lessons and his fondest racing memories to traveling around the world, it’s time to get to know the Mexican driver a little better.
WHAT WAS HOME FOR YOU?
“It will always be Mexico. I was born there and now I live in Europe, in France. It’s gotten to the point where I live 50/50 there and 50/50 back in Mexico. It still doesn’t feel like home. So Mexico is my real home. I have to wait until I go for a few days in August during the break. We still have to prepare for Formula 2 and there are still a few races to come. Then I’ll go there over Christmas. Mexico is quite big and we’re trying to bring the whole family together.”
WHICH ATHLETE DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST OUTSIDE OF MOTORSPORT?
“Ronaldo. Football is big in Mexico and as a kid I always watched football and he was my favorite player. What he’s doing right now is still pretty impressive. What he’s doing at this age and at this level is still impressive.”
WHO DO YOU KNOW BEST IN THE GRID?
“I get along quite well with Enzo. We had a great year. And then Franco Colapinto, because we were teammates in F3.”
IF YOU COULD RETURN ONE MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE TO RELIVE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
“My first race in F4, or my first F1 race, was when I was six years old. That’s where my passion for racing was born. That was in Montreal, when the cars were still super loud. I had to wear headphones, but I didn’t want to.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OR TV SERIES?
“My favorite movie is Borat and my favorite TV show – it changes all the time, but I recently started watching Suits. It makes me think. We spend so much time racing that you wonder if that’s really the way the world is.”
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WHAT WAS THE LAST SONG YOU HEARD?
“Let me look at my phone… Move by Adam Port. This is a super trending song on Tik Tok.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RACING MEMORY?
“The first race in F4. The first race is always something very special. The first race in F2 was something special this year because it was a super exciting start to the new year.”
WHAT IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE POSSESSION?
“The necklace I wear is a cross. It was a gift from my parents. I wear it every day and it reminds me of them.”
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
“There is a lot, but it can change a lot. The latest thought that I think about most often is to just enjoy what we do. Good or bad moments. It’s important to take everything seriously, but not too seriously. At the end of the day, we are all just human and lucky to be able to do what we do.”
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE YOU HAVE BEEN AND ONE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN BUT WOULD LIKE TO VISIT?
“The place I want to travel to – Brazil. This year Enzo is coming from Brazil and last year Caio Collet. The people seem super nice and from what they told me it’s a beautiful country.
“My favourite place at the moment is Japan. The culture, the food, the people, it’s really cool. It’s so different to anywhere else. That’s what makes it so special because it’s so far away. Same with Melbourne because it’s so far away. If you go to Germany, it’s only a two-hour trip and it’ll be similar to where you are, but in Japan and Melbourne it’s 24 hours, so expect big things.”
