In December 2020, Sergio Perez had just become a Formula 1 race winner for the first time – but was on the brink of falling out of the sport altogether.
His Racing Point team, now branded as Aston Martin, had already made the decision to let him go at the end of the year. The Mexican experienced one of the biggest highs of his entire career, and yet it looked like it was all going to come to an end almost straight after.
"The hardest thing is to stay in Formula 1," wrote Perez as he recalled that time in a first-person piece for The Players' Tribune. "I've had some amazing moments, like going back to Mexico in 2015 — my first race there since I'd gotten banned. I'll never forget the love and support I got from the Mexican people that day.
"I have learned a lot at all the teams I have raced for. But in 2020, when I knew I would not get another contract at Racing Point, I thought it might be over. I felt it could be my last season in F1, and it nearly was. It was very close."
It was indeed, but fortunately he would get the lifeline he needed. Later that month, Red Bull told the world they have recruited the Mexican to replace Alex Albon for the 2021 season, and now he is set to stay until at least the end of 2024 after penning a contract extension earlier this year.
"Actually, I was already thinking about my life without racing," Perez added. "Then, Red Bull offered me a deal at the last race of the season, and of course I was super happy to accept.
"Competing for Oracle Red Bull Racing is a huge privilege, you know? With such a strong car you're almost guaranteed a chance to fight for a victory every weekend, which is what you want.
"My profile was raised once I became part of the Red Bull family, because it's such an important brand. A really crucial thing is that my relationship with the mechanics is so good. We're obsessed about winning and we're having fun, which is a big deal because we spend so much time together. I mean, I see them more than I see my wife!
"I feel so lucky to keep living this dream. As with every job, there are some things that I don't enjoy. The training, the media, the racing — it's very intense, and it limits the time I can spend with my family. I've been living like this for more than 10 years now, so I'm used to it, but every time I can go back to Guadalajara, I do."
