Checo Pérez, USA News (Mexico City): The 2011 version of Checo Pérez, sporting an innocent look and the hair of an emo band vocalist, could tell the 2026 version to slow down. He could advise him to relax and enjoy the journey, reminding him that everything is not just anxiety and winning at all costs. Out of the 15 seasons the Mexican driver has competed in Formula 1, only in the current one has he been able to take things with relative calm, greater enjoyment, and without constantly checking the time with his press officer to escape the scene.
Everything moves very fast, Pérez admits, a self-evident truth in a sport where traveling at 100 kilometers per hour is considered slow. Over 15 years, he has built a family with four children, seeing little of them grow up. A Formula 1 season runs from March to December, though work for the following year begins between January and March, leaving minimal real time for loved ones compared to engineers striving to shave fractions of a second off race times.
Public Appearances and Fan Connection
Between Tuesday, Thursday, and Wednesday, Pérez attended nearly a dozen meetings with sponsors, interviews, and public events. On Wednesday, he performed burnouts on Paseo de la Reforma and, during an impromptu moment when his exhibition car broke down, he stepped out and walked the circle of the Angel of Independence to greet supporters in an unprecedented scene. The driver signed caps, flags, and posters for emotional fans.
“I want to enjoy more of those moments. Maybe it is the last show run in my country… I want to keep that, how special it was. Seeing people so happy, crying with happiness, that is worth more than a championship,” Pérez told media outlets, including EL PAÍS. He recently renewed his contract until 2029, noting it is very likely his last contract in the world of Formula 1.
Looking Ahead with Cadillac
Pérez stated he could potentially go to another team to achieve better short-term results, but questioned what earning points would change in his career. There is nothing more motivating than building something new with a brand like Cadillac, he explained, noting it is likely his final contract as he wants to spend more time with his children and family. Pressure remains an uncomfortable passenger for all Formula 1 drivers, given that only 22 seats exist worldwide in the premier class of motorsport.
Reflecting on his career path, Pérez recalled his early years spent trying to prove himself to the world before joining McLaren, where he faced an unstable car and low confidence. He rebuilt his self-esteem at Force India, later known as Racing Point, before securing a seat at Red House, where he helped Max Verstappen win his first drivers’ championship and secured five victories alongside 39 career podiums. Following a difficult 2024 season with an unstable car and subsequent departure, a sabbatical helped him reevaluate his position in the sport.
Now competing with Cadillac, Pérez noted that the team listens to him closely. Although building parts costs three or four times more than it does for top teams and budgets remain limited, he hopes to see notable improvements by the middle of next season without putting undue pressure on himself. Celebrating his 300th Grand Prix weekend in Formula 1, Pérez holds the title of the most successful driver from his country and aims to savor the moment rather than rush toward unrealistic short-term expectations.
