The 10 key moments that defined Sergio Perez's F1 career

1. Sergio Perez's entrance into Formula 1 in 2011 marked a significant moment for Mexican drivers, who had not participated in the top tier of motorsport for three decades. However, his debut was not without challenges; early in 2010, Perez's prospects of joining a team waned after a disappointing GP2 Series performance. A turning point came with his victory at the Monaco feature race, which led to his signing with Sauber under the recommendation of Maurizio Arrivabene.

His official debut at the Australian Grand Prix saw him start 13th on the grid and finish 7th, securing his first points.

2. One year later, Perez's status changed from a "pay driver" to a respected competitor. At the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2012, he drove the Sauber C31 to lead several laps in challenging conditions, battling with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. Perez made a strategic mistake at the penultimate corner but still managed a second-place finish, marking Mexico's first F1 podium in 41 years.

3. Achieving a podium at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza held special significance for Perez as Niki Lauda tipped his hat in respect. This moment carried immense weight, as the Austrian legend acknowledged Perez's exceptional performance. Perez's tire management skills shone through as he overtook Alonso with seven laps remaining, ultimately finishing second behind Lewis Hamilton.

4. Perez's move to McLaren in 2013 proved to be a challenging learning experience. Despite the team's restructuring following Lewis Hamilton's departure to Mercedes, Perez signed with McLaren, joining alongside Jules Bianchi. However, the 2013 season was marked by technical disagreements, internal friction, and a car that struggled to adapt to the new Pirelli tyres.

Perez finished 11th in the championship with 49 points, while teammate Jenson Button secured 73 points. For the first time in several years, McLaren did not secure a single podium finish.

5. After leaving McLaren, Perez joined Force India in 2014, a team known for its consistency. The partnership with team owner Vijay Mallya and the entire squad was immediate. Perez's first race with Force India yielded the team's first podium since 2009, securing third place at the Bahrain Grand Prix. This partnership resulted in five podium finishes, including Bahrain 2014, Russia 2015, Monaco 2016, Europe (Baku) 2016, and Azerbaijan 2018.

Additionally, the team achieved back-to-back fourth-place finishes in the constructors' championship in 2016 and 2017.

6. In 2018, Force India faced severe financial and legal troubles, with team owner Vijay Mallya in debt over bank loans. Perez initiated legal proceedings that placed the team into administration after the Hungarian Grand Prix, facilitating the sale of the team to a consortium led by Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll. This move saved hundreds of jobs at the factory and rebranded the team as Racing Point.