Sergio Perez: I Would Have Quit F1 Rather Than Drive for Caterham

Sergio Perez has revealed he was prepared to walk away from Formula 1 entirely after being dropped by McLaren in 2013, stating that joining the backmarker Caterham team was not an option for him. This career crossroads ultimately led him to Force India, a move he now credits as the platform for his most successful years in the sport and his eventual drive with Red Bull.

Why it matters:

Perez's admission underscores the brutal reality and high-stakes decisions drivers face outside the cockpit. His choice to avoid a career-ending move to a non-competitive team like Caterham, even at the risk of retirement, proved to be the pivotal decision that shaped his entire legacy in Formula 1, transforming him from a driver without a seat into a multiple-time Grand Prix winner.

The details:

• The McLaren Exit: Perez's 2013 season with the Woking-based team was a struggle, as the McLaren car was largely uncompetitive. Despite feeling his pace was strong against teammate Jenson Button, the team opted not to renew his contract.
• The Crossroads: With his F1 future in limbo during the off-season, only two seats were available: Caterham and Force India. Perez was adamant about avoiding the former, viewing it as a step that would stall his career permanently.
• "I'd rather stop": On the Cracks podcast, Perez stated, "Caterham wasn’t an option – I was clear, I wasn’t going to Caterham, I’d rather stop in Formula 1. Yeah, stopping Formula 1 was on the table. It was a very real option."
• The Force India Lifeline: The move to Force India, which he initially thought was "not what I expected," turned into a seven-year stint where he became a team leader and scored regular podiums, paving the way for his Red Bull opportunity. He now calls it "the best years in Formula 1."

Looking Ahead:

This pivotal moment from a decade ago continues to define Perez's career trajectory. His calculated risk in rejecting a drive, even if it meant leaving the sport, ultimately secured his place at the top tier of Formula 1. It serves as a powerful reminder of how a single decision can be the difference between a career cut short and one that culminates in a world championship drive with a top team like Red Bull.