“Checo”: It wasn’t easy to get started

Mexican driver Sergio "Checo" Pérez is open to a return to Formula 1, but only if he finds a "project that my career deserves," he said.

After leaving Red Bull, where he made history as the first Mexican world championship runner-up in 2023, Pérez is calm and proud of his achievements, emphasizing that "what I've achieved has been incredible."

The 35-year-old former Red Bull driver, who has been linked with potential options such as Cadillac, indicated that "as the season progresses, more will be known" about his future at the Grand Circus.

In an interview, Pérez emphasized that emotional control, discipline, and frustration management have been key to his career, especially in the last four years.

He reflected on his arduous journey from childhood, when F1 was an "almost impossible" dream for a Mexican. He left home at age 15 to go to Germany and pursue that goal.

“It was a family project. My dad fought incredibly hard, as did my sister, my brother, and my mom. We all fought, and in the end, that's how it had to be because getting to Formula 1 is very difficult, but getting there as a Mexican is almost impossible. It has to be a family project,” said “Checo.”

His success with Red Bull, which allowed him to be seen by millions of Mexicans, is now part of his legacy.

“Today we see many drivers dreaming, trying, and there's more support than before,” Pérez said, expressing his desire to encourage new generations of Mexicans to take to the track, hoping that “we can soon have a world champion in Formula 1.”

Despite the constant challenges in his career, the Guadalajara native values the character development that sports provide, as "it teaches you to control your emotions and prepares you for real life."

Imminent signing

Graeme Lowdon, team principal of the Cadillac team, which will make its Formula One debut in 2026, was cautious when it came to signing Sergio Pérez; however, he praised the Jalisco native and acknowledged that they have been in talks with him. "I know 'Checo,' I like him a lot, and we've been talking to a lot of drivers because a lot of people want to drive a Cadillac," the executive said in an interview with Fox Sports.

“We're evaluating and deciding what's best for the team… Checo is undoubtedly a world-class F1 driver. He's proven it on the track, has a lot of experience, and is very fast. He's definitely the type of driver we'd talk to,” Lowdon concluded.