Sergio Perez marks 300 F1 starts with special helmet at Mexico City GP
Sergio Perez is set to make his 300th F1 start at the Mexican Grand Prix despite being struck by illness.
- Perez is the third F1 star to fall ill ahead of the Mexican GP, joining others who missed duties.
- He will join a rarefied club of drivers with 300 starts during his home race in Mexico City.
- For this milestone, Perez has unveiled a special Mexico-inspired helmet design.
Sergio Perez will reach a major milestone this weekend at the Mexico City Grand Prix, making his 300th Formula 1 start in front of his home crowd. The 36-year-old Cadillac driver unveiled a striking new helmet design inspired by Mexican culture to celebrate the occasion. The helmet features a predominantly white base with intricate grey geometric patterns drawn from traditional Mexican art, the national flag across the top, and prominent branding from Cadillac and other sponsors.
Perez’s 300 starts place him among an elite group of drivers, joining the likes of Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen, Rubens Barrichello, Michael Schumacher, and Jenson Button. He will be the first driver to hit the triple-century mark at his home Grand Prix. His career began in 2011 with Sauber, and since then he has amassed six wins, 39 podiums, and three poles. His journey has taken him from an underdog at Sauber to a key figure at Red Bull, where he finished runner-up in the 2023 drivers’ championship, before moving to Cadillac for the 2026 season.
This weekend marks Perez’s tenth appearance at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where he has previously stood on the podium twice, both times finishing third in 2021 and 2022. His 2021 podium was historic, making him the first Mexican driver to reach the podium at his home race. Across his nine prior home races, Perez has scored 47 points and six top-ten finishes, though his last two outings with Red Bull were challenging, with a first-lap retirement in 2023 and a 17th-place finish last year.
Despite falling ill just hours before Friday’s opening session, Perez was able to rest and still participate in the on-track activities. Cadillac confirmed he missed a fan forum due to illness but would compete in Free Practice 1 and 2 as planned. His teammates Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Antonelli also battled illness earlier in the weekend but remained on track for the race.
Perez’s milestone is underscored by his recent contract extension with Cadillac through 2029, reflecting the team’s confidence in his experience and skill. The Mexico City GP is not only a personal landmark but a celebration of his enduring connection to his home fans and country. With the championship battle heating up and his own career entering a new chapter, all eyes will be on Perez as he races in front of thousands of supporters eager to witness his historic 300th start.
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