Sergio Perez, ahead of his home grand prix in Mexico, has been the subject of retirement rumors but has received strong support from his father, Antonio Pérez Garibay, who believes Perez is destined to win the F1 world title. Despite widespread speculation about Perez’s future in the sport, his father has remained optimistic about his son’s potential to achieve the highest honor in Formula 1.
Perez is the most successful Mexican driver in F1 history, securing six out of eight wins for his country and having more race entries than all other Mexican drivers combined. However, he has yet to secure a championship title, with his highest finish being second place in 2023. In that season, he trailed significantly behind his dominant teammate, Max Verstappen. Nonetheless, Perez’s father continues to believe that his son will eventually win the world championship.
Antonio Pérez Garibay is a regular presence in the F1 paddock, constantly supporting his son. He has often expressed his high expectations for Sergio, reiterating his belief that his son will not retire until he wins a world championship. Most recently, he stated confidently that Sergio still has his best days ahead of him and will ultimately be equipped with the tools necessary to challenge for the title.
Despite facing criticism for over a year due to inconsistent performances, Perez still retains the backing of his Red Bull team. Team principal Christian Horner has emphasized that Perez remains the best option for the team, pointing to Perez’s strong start to the 2023 season where he secured four podium finishes in five races. Horner attributed Perez’s struggles to a lack of confidence rather than a lack of talent.
Horner further highlighted that the team has no intention of replacing Perez, as they believe the current driver lineup is capable of defending the championship. With Red Bull’s recent success in securing titles, including first and second-place finishes in 2023, Horner remains confident in Perez’s abilities and potential, dismissing the need for a driver change.