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Biography and Early Career

Sergio Perez was born on 26 January 1990 in Guadalajara, Mexico, and rose through karting and European junior formulas before establishing himself as one of the most complete all round racers of his generation. After building momentum in the feeder series, Perez earned a Formula 1 opportunity with Sauber, arriving with a reputation for intelligence, discipline and an ability to manage tyres and race tempo better than most drivers around him.

Those traits quickly became his signature. Perez developed into a driver who could stretch stints, unlock alternate strategies and turn difficult Sundays into points, even when outright pace was limited. It was a skill set that later made him one of the sport’s most reliable performers in traffic and on long runs, and it ultimately underpinned his move into race winning machinery.

Formula 1 Career

Sauber breakthrough (2011 to 2012)

Perez made his Formula 1 debut with Sauber in 2011 and opened his career with flashes of speed and maturity. In 2012 he produced the first major statement of his F1 life, scoring a runner up finish in Malaysia and adding further podiums during the season. That year placed him firmly on the radar as a future Grand Prix winner and one of the strongest strategic racers on the grid.

McLaren season (2013)

In 2013 Perez stepped up to McLaren. The car was not regularly competitive at the front, but he continued to show aggression in wheel to wheel fights and he remained a consistent points scorer across the year. The experience strengthened his race craft, particularly in higher pressure situations and against the sport’s most established names.

Force India and Racing Point rise (2014 to 2020)

Perez’s most defining development came with Force India, where he became a cornerstone of the team’s midfield success. He claimed a podium in Bahrain in 2014 and then delivered another standout highlight with a third place finish in Russia in 2015. Across multiple seasons he built a reputation as a driver who could reliably extract results from compromised weekends, often through tyre management and smart execution.

That consistency peaked in 2020 with Racing Point. Perez won the Sakhir Grand Prix, securing his first Formula 1 victory and becoming the first Mexican driver to win a Grand Prix in five decades. He finished the season fourth in the Drivers’ standings, combining front running pace with the craft that had defined his career.

Red Bull era (2021 to 2024)

Perez joined Red Bull Racing in 2021 and immediately added victories and podiums, while also contributing to the team’s championship campaigns. In 2022 he took a maiden pole position and delivered his most productive season to that point, finishing third in the championship with multiple wins and regular podiums. In 2023 he reached a new career high by finishing second overall in the Drivers’ standings, underlining both his speed and his ability to deliver across a full campaign.

The 2024 season proved more difficult. Perez ended the year winless and finished eighth in the standings. After the season, he and Red Bull Racing parted ways, closing a four year spell that included race wins and key contributions to the team’s wider success.

Cadillac move (2026)

After a year away from racing, Perez returns to the grid in 2026 with Cadillac as the American marque begins its Formula 1 project. He arrives with a proven record as a race winner and one of the sport’s most effective tyre managers, offering Cadillac experience, calm leadership and an ability to translate difficult weekends into points.

Driving Style and Strengths

Perez is best known for elite tyre management, strong race pace and an ability to operate effectively in traffic. He often excels when strategy becomes decisive, extending stints, protecting tyres and positioning himself to capitalise when opportunities appear. Over a long career he has proven adaptable across very different cars and eras, from midfield machinery to championship level contenders.

At his best, Perez combines patience with decisiveness. He can defend hard, execute clean overtakes and maintain consistent lap time over long runs. Those traits have made him a valued asset in both midfield fights and front running campaigns, and they form the foundation of what he brings to Cadillac in 2026.