CHECO 300: A CAREER MILESTONE ON HOME SOIL
October 28, 2026, — Mexico City, Mexico — Checo Pérez will make his 300th Grand Prix start at his home race in Mexico City, becoming only the seventh driver in Formula 1 history to reach the milestone and marking another landmark in a career spanning six race victories, 39 podium finishes and 15 seasons in the sport.
A remarkable milestone
A 300th Grand Prix start is a remarkable achievement. Only six drivers have reached this milestone ahead of Checo, placing him seventh on Formula 1’s all-time list of race starts. He arrives in Mexico as a 15-season F1 veteran, a six-time Grand Prix winner, a 39-time podium finisher and one of the sport’s most accomplished street-circuit racers.
Key statistics
300 Grand Prix starts — seventh on the all-time list
15 seasons in Formula 1 — made his debut with Sauber in 2011
6 Grand Prix victories — including wins in Sakhir, Baku, Monaco, Singapore and Jeddah
39 podium finishes — alongside second place in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship
2026 Cadillac driver — bringing his experience and technical feedback to the team in its debut F1 season
From Mexico to the world stage
Checo made his Formula 1 debut with Sauber in 2011 and secured his first podium at the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2012. His tyre management, strategic judgement and confidence on low-grip street circuits quickly became trademarks of his driving. After a challenging 2013 season with McLaren, he found a home with Force India — later Racing Point — where he established himself as a consistent podium contender and helped the team secure its first victory under the Racing Point name.
His breakthrough came at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. A first-lap collision dropped him to the back of the field, but Checo fought his way through the pack before capitalising on Mercedes’ pit-stop errors to claim his maiden Formula 1 victory. He crossed the finish line first in his 190th Grand Prix start, becoming the first Mexican driver to win a Formula 1 race in more than 50 years.
That victory earned him a seat at Red Bull Racing in 2021. He won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku during his sixth race for the team, before adding victories in Monaco, Singapore and Jeddah. He also played an important role in Red Bull’s Constructors’ Championship successes in 2022 and 2023, finishing runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship in 2023.
The next chapter
After leaving Red Bull at the end of 2024 and spending the 2025 season away from the grid, Checo returned to Formula 1 in 2026 with Cadillac, alongside Valtteri Bottas, as the team made its debut in the championship. His experience and technical feedback are helping Cadillac develop its first Formula 1 car as the team establishes itself on the grid. As one of the most experienced drivers in the field, Checo brings valuable knowledge to the team as it builds the foundations for its future in the sport. Now, the Mexico City Grand Prix provides a fitting setting for his 300th start: a home crowd, a landmark achievement and an opportunity to celebrate the career that brought him here.
“Mexico is always a very special race for me. There’s nothing quite like coming home, feeling the support of the fans and being surrounded by my people. I missed that feeling a lot last year, so I’m really looking forward to being back in Mexico City and sharing this moment with everyone. To celebrate my 300th Grand Prix at my home race makes it even more meaningful, and I’m excited to enjoy every moment of this weekend with my family, friends and all the fans who have supported me throughout my career.”, said Checo Pérez.
About Cadillac Formula 1® Team
The Cadillac Formula 1® Team is a specialist motor racing team competing in the FIA Formula 1® World Championship. Backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors, the team has operations in Indianapolis, Indiana (USA); Charlotte, North Carolina (USA); and Silverstone, Northamptonshire (UK). With the confidence to dream big and the passion to deliver, the Cadillac Formula 1®Team is building everything from the ground up – from high-performance race cars to an inclusive, values-driven culture. The team made its Formula 1®debut in 2026.