Sergio Perez F1 driver biography

Sergio Perez

Sergio Perez made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2011

Born: 26th January 1990
Birthplace: Guadalajara, Mexico
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Sauber: 2011-
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Sergio Perez gained a seat with Sauber for 2011 after finishing second in GP2 the previous year.

Perez started karting in 1996 and in 2004 began racing in the Skip Barber series.

The following year he moved to Europe and spent two years in the German Formula BMW championship.

Arriving in Britain in 2007 he raced for T-Sport, winning the national (junior) championship that year before graduating into the main series. He began his 2008 campaign strongly with three wins in the first six races, but faded to fourth by the end of the season.

He moved up to GP2 the following year, finishing on the podium in both races at Valencia and ending the year 12th. Switching from Arden to Addax he had a stronger 2010, but was beaten to the title by Pastor Maldonado.

Before the season was over he was signed by Sauber to partner Kamui Kobayashi in 2011. He also joined the driver development programme of Sauber’s engine supplier Ferrari.

Sauber

Perez missed two races after a heavy crash in Monaco

2011

Perez should have scored points on his F1 debut, after finishing in the top ten at Melbourne, But the two Saubers were disqualified for a minor technical infringement. He made amends four races later in Spain.

At the next round he reached the final ten in qualifying for the first time, only to crash heavily at the beginning of Q3. He suffered no serious injuries, but missed the race and withdrew from the following round in Canada – he later said it took several races for him to fully recover.

Nonetheless he picked up more points in the second half of the season and regularly out-qualified the more experienced Kobayashi. He impressed at Suzuka, battling through the field to score again despite being unwell. He even found time to play a joke on his team, telling them his car had lost power as he sprinted out of the last corner.

A mid-season test for Ferrari indicated he was a candidate to join the team in the future, though he signed a contract extension at Sauber for 2012.