Sergio Perez is set to reach a significant milestone in his Formula 1® career by starting his 300th Grand Prix at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix. This achievement places him seventh on the all-time list of race starts, surpassing notable names such as Sebastian Vettel. Perez’s journey through the sport has been marked by resilience and steady progress across several teams.
Beginning his Formula 1® career with Sauber in 2011, Perez quickly demonstrated his potential, including a memorable on-track battle with Fernando Alonso in 2012. However, his time at McLaren in 2013 proved challenging, as the car’s performance and his relative inexperience limited his results and put his future in the sport at risk. It was at Force India, later Racing Point, where Perez revived his career, becoming a consistent points scorer and securing multiple podium finishes. He also played a crucial role off the track by taking legal action in 2018 to help protect the team during financial difficulties.
Perez’s first Formula 1® victory came at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, where he recovered from a first-lap incident to claim a historic win, becoming the first Mexican driver to win a race since 1970. Following this breakthrough, he joined Red Bull Racing in 2021. During his time with Red Bull, Perez secured several wins and podiums, and notably supported Max Verstappen’s 2021 World Championship campaign by defending track position in critical moments like the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
After a difficult 2024 season marked by car handling issues, Perez and Red Bull Racing mutually agreed to part ways, leading to a year away from the sport. In 2026, he returned to Formula 1® with the new Cadillac team, aiming to contribute to building the team’s competitiveness and to conclude his career there. The milestone 300th race coincides with his home Grand Prix in Mexico City, adding personal significance to the occasion for Perez and his family.
Over the years, Perez has competed alongside and against a wide range of drivers, including Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and others. His career reflects a path of perseverance and adaptation across different teams and challenges within the sport.
This milestone highlights Perez’s longevity and impact in Formula 1®, marking a notable chapter in the history of Mexican drivers in the championship. His reflections on key moments and transitions underline the varied experiences that have shaped his career up to this point.