Rafael Villagómez has steadily built his name across Europe’s single-seater ladder, combining quiet determination with a deep sense of national pride. From a single karting lap at age four to competing at the pinnacle of junior motorsport, the FIA Formula 2 Championship, his path has been one of persistence and patience. Now racing in F2 with Van Amersfoort Racing, Villagómez stands as the first—and currently only—driver to compete under the flag of Mexico in both the modern FIA Formula 3 (established 2019) and FIA Formula 2 (established 2017) eras.
His journey reflects not just his own growth, but also the evolution of motorsport in Mexico—a country whose presence on the international grid continues to expand, with Noel León set to become the second Mexican F2 driver when he joins Campos Racing in 2026. In an exclusive interview with Pit Debrief, Villagómez discussed what it means to him to represent Mexico on the international stage, and the growth of Mexican motorsport over recent years.
The power of home support
Villagómez’s rise has been supported by a passionate fanbase thousands of kilometres away. Even when time zones make live viewing difficult, his supporters in Mexico continue to rally behind him. The strength of that connection, he explains, has been both motivating and grounding throughout his F2 journey.
“Yeah, honestly, I think the fans back in Mexico are amazing. They’re always super supportive, super positive. It’s tough for them because their races from F2 is, as well, like 3 or 2 a.m. So I understand they cannot always watch it.”
Despite the early hours, he still feels their enthusiasm through messages after every race weekend. The outpouring of support reminds him that his performances resonate far beyond the paddock, inspiring fans who follow his progress with pride.
“But, you know, I always get messages after a race. Whenever I’m in Mexico, yeah, everyone is aware of what’s going on, so they’re always super supportive. In a way, I’m very lucky to have that support.”
The F2 driver acknowledges that while motorsport in Mexico is not yet as deeply rooted as in the United Kingdom or Italy, it continues to grow through the collective efforts of fans, drivers, and sponsors.
“In such a big country, and motorsport is big, but it’s kind of small at the same time, you know, because if you compare it to the UK, it’s such a big thing, such a big topic and so many drivers. So for me, it’s quite a big boost to have all that support.”
Growth of motorsport in Mexico
The conversation naturally turned to the transformation of motorsport at home. Villagómez has seen enormous progress since his early karting days, when the sport in Mexico was still developing in structure and visibility. His recent return to a karting event gave him a striking sense of just how much has changed.
“Obviously, it’s growing quite a lot. During the summer, I went to a karting race to watch, and the difference when I was racing and to what it is now is massive. Obviously, equipment is changing.”
He noted that technology has elevated both performance and professionalism, but equally important are the human and organisational improvements that have raised standards across the country.
“Technology brings a lot of good things, but also the way the organisation works is a lot better, a lot more professional. You see a lot more drivers. So it just shows that slowly speaking, because when I was there, it was really far behind.”
Closing the gap to Europe
Even so, Villagómez remains pragmatic about the challenges. Many young Mexican drivers still struggle to adapt when they move to Europe, facing both cultural and technical hurdles. For him, the solution lies in continued investment and structure within the national system.
“And one of the main topics is how do you close that gap from because all of the drivers that go from Mexico to Europe, they seem to struggle a little bit. The question here is, how do you make that gap smaller? And there’s plenty of things that they can improve, but I believe that it’s going on the right way and the right path.”
Encouragingly, the scale of participation in karting is now far greater than when Villagómez started. What was once a small grid has become a thriving, competitive scene filled with talented young drivers.
“And it’s growing massively, like you see some grids of 25, 30 kids in karting in Mexico, where before we were 10 guys or something. The tracks are a lot better. So, yeah, I do believe things are going the right way in Mexico.”
He concluded that while there is still progress to be made, the important thing is that the country continues to move forward step by step.
“Like I said, it can always be better. But as long as they’re making steps, that’s what matters.”
Representing Mexico on the global stage
Beyond results and racing, carrying the Mexican flag in international motorsport is a defining part of Villagómez’s identity. Each time he steps into the car, he recognises that he represents not just himself but an entire nation watching with pride.
“Obviously, I’m very proud to carry the flag. I think like all Mexicans, we’re really lucky and proud to have it.”
That pride comes with a quiet responsibility—to inspire others back home, to perform to the highest standards, and to show what dedication and belief can achieve.
“And yeah, it’s just basically a matter of doing the best job as possible to represent my country.”
From his early days on Mexican kart tracks to his position on the FIA Formula 2 grid, Rafael Villagómez has become a symbol of his nation’s growing motorsport ambitions. With young talents like Noel León following in his footsteps, Mexico’s presence on the international stage is set to strengthen further. Yet for Villagómez, the mission remains the same—drive with pride, compete with purpose, and fly the flag for Mexico wherever he races.
