Sergio Perez looks back on his Formula 1 career so far and explains why he was unable to enjoy many moments in the sport to the full
Sergio Perez will contest his 300th Formula 1 Grand Prix at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix. The special celebrations began on Wednesday with a demonstration run alongside Cadillac on one of the country’s main thoroughfares, before heading to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the weekend.
When “Checo” Perez began his journey into Formula 1, the situation at the Escuderia Telmex project – launched by Carlos Slim Domit, a member of one of the world’s wealthiest families according to Forbes – was very different.
Initially, Pérez was not the first choice to make the leap into Formula 1, but his persistence secured him a position that ultimately earned him a seat at Sauber.
Now, with 299 Grand Prix starts and a wealth of experience under his belt, he admits that he would approach his time in Formula 1 somewhat differently – particularly following his abrupt departure from Red Bull at the end of 2024 and his return in 2026 with Cadillac, which included apologies from several of his critics.
” “I was the youngest, the smallest, and the project had, of course, started long before I arrived,” recalls Perez in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, before explaining what he would say to the young driver who made his debut with Sauber in 2011.
” ‘Above all, I’d tell him to enjoy everything more – even the bad moments – because it all goes by so quickly. Before you know it, you’re at the end of your career, and there are many moments I wish I’d enjoyed more,’ admits Perez.
The Mexican explains that his racing career has flown by, and that a sabbatical year made him realise the full significance of everything he had achieved. That is why his perspective on returning to Formula 1 is completely different today.
“Perhaps there was so much pressure throughout my entire career – right from my early days in karting – that if I didn’t win a race, I might not have raced in the next race or the next championship.”
“You win a championship and immediately have to think about the next one. The day-to-day reality of such a competitive sport prevents you from enjoying it to the full. I would have [dem jungen Checo] said: enjoy it more, and you’ll go much, much further than you could ever have dreamt of.”
The experience of a team player
Another important lesson the Mexican driver has learnt is that – regardless of the results or whether his performances surpass those of his team-mate – he remains part of a larger structure in which contributing to the team’s overall development is what matters most.
Now, at Cadillac, he does not want to seek personal glory, but rather to lay the foundations for the team’s future success. “At the end of the day, I’m still the driver, but all the experience I’ve gained over the years is incredibly important and fundamental in a new team.”
“That also applies to Valtteri [Bottas]. He’s a driver with so much experience, having been with so many teams. Now it’s about steering a new team in the right direction, because that’s crucial for progress in the coming years,” said Perez.