Sergio Perez

Sergio Michel 'Checo' Pérez Mendoza was born on 26 January 1990 in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he was also raised. His journey into motorsport began at the remarkably young age of six when he started competitive kart racing, setting the foundation for what would become a distinguished Formula One career spanning over a decade.

Pérez made the transition from karting to junior formulae in 2004, steadily climbing the motorsport ladder. His breakthrough came in 2007 when he claimed his first major championship victory in the national class of the British Formula 3 International Series, establishing himself as a promising talent.

Progressing to the GP2 Series in 2009, Pérez continued to impress with consistent performances. The following season in 2010, driving for Addax, he finished as runner-up to Pastor Maldonado in the championship, a result that caught the attention of Formula One teams and earned him recognition as a Ferrari Driver Academy member from 2010 to 2012.

Pérez made his Formula One debut with Sauber in 2011, partnering Kamui Kobayashi at the Australian Grand Prix, though both drivers were disqualified due to an illegal rear wing. His fortunes improved significantly in 2012 when he achieved his maiden podium finish in Malaysia, followed by additional podium appearances in Canada and Italy, announcing his arrival as a legitimate Formula One competitor.

In 2013, Pérez secured a high-profile move to McLaren, replacing Lewis Hamilton to partner Jenson Button. However, the season proved challenging, with Pérez failing to achieve any podium finishes. This led to his signing with Force India in 2014, where he would find renewed success and stability.

During his tenure with Force India, Pérez scored five podiums with the team, maintaining this success even as the team underwent a mid-2018 rebranding to Racing Point. His most remarkable achievement came during his time with Red Bull, where he finished as runner-up in the 2023 Formula One World Drivers' Championship. Across his 14-season career, Pérez has won six Grands Prix, cementing his status as one of Mexico's most successful Formula One drivers.