Cadillac F1 · Driver Profile
SergioPérez
Known as "Checo," Cadillac's lead 2026 driver brings 13 seasons of F1 experience — and Mexico's biggest motorsport fanbase — back to the grid after a one-year hiatus.
Known as "Checo," Cadillac's lead 2026 driver brings 13 seasons of F1 experience — and Mexico's biggest motorsport fanbase — back to the grid after a one-year hiatus.
281
6
39
3
P2
Sergio Michel Pérez Mendoza turned professional at 14, raced in Europe by 18, and made his F1 debut in 2011 with Sauber. Over the next thirteen seasons he became the most successful Mexican F1 driver of all time — overtaking countryman Pedro Rodríguez for the national record on podiums, wins, and points scored — and Mexico's biggest sports export to the grid since Rodríguez raced in the 1960s.
The path was anything but straight. After breakout years at Force India and Racing Point, his ruthless 2020 Sakhir GP win — taking a P18 starting slot to victory in a chaotic race — earned him a Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen. He helped Red Bull to their 2022 and 2023 Constructors' titles, claimed five Grand Prix wins in Milton Keynes machinery, and finished second in the 2023 Drivers' Championship.
The Red Bull partnership soured through 2024, ending after the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Pérez sat out 2025 — close to choosing IndyCar or WEC before Cadillac came calling. He signed with the team in August 2025 alongside Valtteri Bottas, bringing the most race-winning American-team driver lineup since Andretti.
Cadillac F1 Team
Returns to the grid as the lead driver on F1's newest team. Signed alongside Valtteri Bottas — announced August 26, 2025.
Sabbatical
Out of F1 after his Red Bull contract was terminated post-2024. Spent the year evaluating seats in IndyCar, WEC and F1 before committing to Cadillac.
Oracle Red Bull Racing
Five wins, two Constructors' Championships (2022, 2023), and a career-best P2 in the 2023 Drivers' Championship. Wing-man to Verstappen during F1's most dominant team-era of the decade.
BWT Racing Point F1 Team
Stayed when the team was rebranded from Force India. His maiden F1 win came in the chaotic 2020 Sakhir GP — starting P18, finishing P1.
Sahara Force India F1 Team
Five seasons that established him as F1's premier midfield over-performer. Eight podiums including Bahrain 2014 (his first), Russia 2015, Monaco 2016, and Azerbaijan 2018.
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
Promoted to McLaren as Lewis Hamilton's replacement. Tough year for both the team and the rookie — released after one season.
Sauber F1 Team
F1 debut at Albert Park 2011. First podium came in his rookie year at Sepang. Three podiums in 2012 (Malaysia, Canada, Italy) put him on McLaren's radar.
Pérez has been clear that the Cadillac project drew him back specifically because it's a long-term, well-funded American works program — not a midfield seat. The Garage page has both his press conference reaction and an outside-voice analysis of why the deal made sense for both sides.
I had offers from other categories — IndyCar, WEC, even another F1 team. But Cadillac is different. GM is committed to this for the long haul, and being part of building a winning American team in F1 — that's the chapter I want to write.— Sergio Pérez · The F1 Show, August 2025
Curated from The Garage — third-party videos featuring Pérez since the Cadillac announcement.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Grand Prix entries | 281 |
| Race starts | 281 |
| Race wins | 6 |
| Podium finishes | 39 |
| Pole positions | 3 |
| Fastest laps | 11 |
| Career points | 1,637 |
| Best Drivers' Championship | 2nd (2023) |
| Sprint wins | 1 (Azerbaijan 2023) |
| Constructors' Championships | 2 (2022, 2023 · Red Bull) |
