Perez's Father Claims Checo Could Have Been Champion, Not Verstappen

Antonio Perez Garibay, father of Sergio "Checo" Perez, has made bold claims, asserting his son could have been a Formula 1 world champion and was instrumental in Max Verstappen's titles.

Why it matters

These statements from Perez Sr. ignite debate about Checo's role at Red Bull Racing and his true potential. They also set a high bar for Sergio Perez's announced move to Cadillac, highlighting his continued ambition in F1.

The big picture

Perez Sr. suggests his son's four years at Red Bull coincided with Verstappen's championship wins, underscoring Checo's value. He uses the performance of drivers like Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda alongside Verstappen as proof of Checo's crucial contribution.

The details

• Crucial Role in Verstappen's Success: "Checo Perez made Verstappen world champion," Perez Sr. told Mexican Victory Media. He specifically cited the 2021 season, where Checo held off Lewis Hamilton, as a testament to his son's impact.
• Personal Championship Potential: Perez Sr. firmly believes that "if Checo had received the car he deserved in his final year, he would have become world champion himself." He implies Red Bull used Checo to secure Verstappen's championship.
• Future with Cadillac: Sergio Perez will take a gap year in 2025 after his departure from Red Bull, then join the new Cadillac team in 2026 alongside Valtteri Bottas. Their stated objective is to become Formula 1 world champions.

What's next

Perez will aim to achieve his championship dream with Cadillac from 2026, after a season away from the grid. This move will test his long-standing ambition to reach the pinnacle of Formula 1.