Sergio Perez announces F1 retirement date: 'My children are the most important thing'

F1 star Sergio Perez has confirmed his retirement date as he looks ahead to spending more time with his four children.

The 36-year-old Mexican has enjoyed a long and distinguished career on the grid, claiming six Grand Prix victories and helping Max Verstappen claim four world titles during his spell at Red Bull.

Now though 'Checo' admits he is in the final stages of his life on the grid, and will call time on his career when his newly-signed contract extension runs out at the end of the 2029 season.

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Perez confirms this contract will be his last

“I love this sport, it’s my passion,” he told Reuters.

“I could easily do this for another ten years because I enjoy it so much. But I’m also at an age where my children are going through important phases of their lives, and they are my top priority.

"I want to spend as much time with them as possible. I’ve been clear that this three-year contract will be my last.”

'Checo' welcomes massive Cadillac challenge

While Perez enjoyed significant success as Verstappen's wingman at Red Bull between 2021 and 2024, life with rookies Cadillac brings a very different challenge.

Now the Mexican star is the focus of a new brand building from the ground up - he and the team have yet to score a point in the 2026 season.

“Right now, there’s nothing more motivating to me than creating something new with such an established brand like Cadillac,” he said.

A career of consistency and a few very high points

Perez spent most of his career racing for midfield teams in F1 before that big move to Red Bull in 2021. In 2012, he showed great promise at Sauber, even fighting for victory in Malaysia.

After a difficult year with McLaren, he moved to Force India, which later became Racing Point. ‘Checo’ was a consistent point scorer there, made few mistakes, and even won the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix - the win that earned him a Red Bull seat.

Then came those four glorious years alongside Verstappen, before Perez took a year out in 2025 ahead of joining the Cadillac project.

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