Sergio Perez

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born and raised in Guadalajara, Pérez began competitive kart racing aged six. Graduating to junior formulae in 2004, Pérez won his first championship in the national class of the 2007 British Formula 3 International Series. He progressed to the GP2 Series in 2009, finishing runner-up to Pastor Maldonado the following season with Addax. A member of the Ferrari Driver Academy from 2010 to 2012, Pérez signed for Sauber in 2011 to partner Kamui Kobayashi, making his Formula One debut at the Australian Grand Prix, where both were disqualified for an illegal rear wing. Pérez found greater success for the team in 2012, achieving his maiden podium finish in Malaysia, and repeating this feat in Canada and Italy. For the 2013 season, Pérez moved to McLaren, replacing Lewis Hamilton to partner Jenson Button. After a podium-less season for McLaren, Pérez signed with Force India in 2014. He scored five podiums with the team before their re-branding to Racing Point mid-way through the 2018 season. Pérez placed fourth in the championship with Racing Point in 2020, taking his maiden win at the Sakhir Grand Prix, having been in last-place at the end of the first lap. Replaced by Sebastian Vettel at the re-branded Aston Martin for 2021, Pérez signed for Red Bull to partner Max Verstappen; he took his first victory for the team at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Pérez took further wins in 2022 at the Monaco and Singapore Grands Prix, amongst his maiden pole position in Saudi Arabia, finishing the season third overall. Pérez finished runner-up to Verstappen in the 2023 World Drivers' Championship, after additional victories in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan. Following a winless 2024 campaign, Pérez and Red Bull mutually agreed to terminate his contract, having contributed to two World Constructors' Championships. He returned with Cadillac in 2026.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell on Monaco, turning the principality's streets into a treacherous mirror. Pérez had qualified only 4th, behind the dominant Ferraris, but as the track dried, Red Bull called him in for intermediate tyres on lap 17. The undercut worked: he emerged ahead of race leader Charles Leclerc. Then, on lap 22, he pitted again for hard tyres, overcutting Carlos Sainz to take the lead. A red flag from Mick Schumacher's crash brought out medium tyres, and Pérez held his nerve to the checkered flag, taking his first win of the 2022 season. It was a masterclass in strategy and tyre management, proving that even on a circuit where overtaking is nearly impossible, Pérez could find a way to victory.

Reader's Guide

Pérez has achieved six race wins, three pole positions, 12 fastest laps and 39 podiums in Formula One. He holds the Formula One records for the most starts before a race win (190) and the most races before a pole position (219). Pérez is contracted to remain at Cadillac until at least the end of the 2027 season.

Did You Know?

• Pérez began karting at age six in 1996.
• He won his first championship in the national class of the 2007 British Formula 3 International Series.
• Pérez took his maiden Formula One win at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, having been last at the end of the first lap.
• He holds the record for the most starts before a race win (190) and the most races before a pole position (219).