During this weekend, Sergio Pérez will enter the exclusive club of drivers who have competed in at least 300 Formula 1 races, an achievement reserved for legends such as Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button, and Rubens Barrichello.
The Mexican driver’s journey has been marked by several key moments that have shaped his story in the motorsport world.
1. Debut in Australia 2011: surprise and disqualification
Pérez’s debut in Formula 1 had special significance, ending 30 years of absence of Mexican drivers in this category. However, the road to this first race was not easy. At the beginning of 2010, his chances of finding a seat complicated after a difficult start in GP2.
His victory in the Monaco race changed everything, opening the doors of Sauber thanks to the recommendation of Maurizio Arrivabene. He officially debuted at the Australian Grand Prix with Sauber, where he surprised with an impeccable tire management, moving from 13th to 7th position to achieve his first points.
However, a post-race technical inspection revealed that the rear wing of Sauber vehicles breached the rules, and both vehicles were disqualified. Thus, his first points had to wait until the Spanish Grand Prix later that year.
2. First podium in Malaysia 2012: the epic battle against Alonso
Only a year after his debut, Pérez gained the absolute respect of his rivals by managing the Sauber C31, leading several laps in the Malaysian Grand Prix. In difficult conditions and under intense rain, the Mexican engaged in an intense fight with Fernando Alonso, who was competing for Ferrari.
In the final stages of the race, a small mistake made him lose positions, but his second place marked Mexico’s first podium in F1 in 41 years.
3. Podium in Monza 2012: Lauda recognizes Pérez
For a driver, receiving recognition from a world champion like Niki Lauda is a great honor. On September 9, 2012, Pérez achieved his second podium at the Italian Grand Prix, moving from 12th to 2nd position. His ability to conserve tires allowed him to overtake Alonso with seven laps to go.
The winner, Lewis Hamilton, was recognized by Lauda, who congratulated Pérez, telling him that he had surprised even Alonso.
4. Season at McLaren in 2013: a harsh lesson
His performance at Monza led him to sign a contract with McLaren, which was undergoing a major change after Hamilton’s departure to Mercedes. Despite having options with Ferrari, Pérez chose the British team. Despite expectations, the 2013 season was not as expected.
Technical disagreements and a car that did not adapt to the Pirelli tires hindered his performance. Pérez finished the season in 11th place with 49 points, while his teammate, Button, achieved 73, and the team went without podiums for the first time in years.
5. Resurgence at Force India and historic podiums
His departure from McLaren came at the end of 2013, leaving him with little time to find a new seat. The opportunity with Force India arose, and the chemistry between the team and the driver was immediate. In just his third race, in Bahrain, Pérez finished third, taking the team to its first podium since 2009.
These collaborations resulted in five podiums, as well as two consecutive fourth places in the constructors’ championship in 2016 and 2017.
6. Legal conflicts at Force India that saved jobs
During the 2018 season, the financial difficulties of Vijay Mallya severely affected Force India. Pérez initiated legal proceedings to manage the team after the Hungarian Grand Prix, a decision that facilitated the sale of the team to a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll.
The Mexican stated that the goal was to save 400 jobs, in a complicated context where his attention could not focus solely on driving.
7. Victory at the Sakhir Grand Prix 2020 and the call from Red Bull
Pérez experienced an unexpected 2020. A contract signed with Lawrence Stroll to lead the transition to Aston Martin evaporated when Sebastian Vettel became an available option. Despite a strong performance throughout the season, it seemed that his future in F1 was in jeopardy.
His performance at the Sakhir Grand Prix, where he moved from last position to victory, caught the attention of Red Bull, which saw him as the ideal candidate to occupy the second seat.
8. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021: crowned as the “Minister of Defense”
At Red Bull, Pérez became the ideal teammate for Max Verstappen. His crowning moment came at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he defended his position to allow Verstappen to recover from a nine-second disadvantage. His skill in tire management received recognition from Verstappen, who dubbed him a legend during the race.
9. 2024 Season: internal crisis and departure from Red Bull
After iconic victories, the 2024 season began with high expectations, but internal tensions and declining performance led to a complicated situation. Despite having a contract extended until 2026, his performance during the season prompted Red Bull to decide to end their collaboration in December.
10. Unexpected return with Cadillac F1: 300 races and beyond 2027
The intensification of performances from Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda put Pérez in the spotlight of Cadillac. The American team sought an experienced driver to lead technical development. Despite the early challenges, his standout performances, like a top 10 in Monaco, have reinforced his position.
With the celebration of his 300th Grand Prix, Pérez is preparing for his second complete campaign with Cadillac ahead of the 2027 season.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
