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Sergio Perez’s Lost Ferrari Dream: The F1 Path That Could Have Changed Everything

James Taylor by James Taylor
November 13, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Sergio Perez’s Lost Ferrari Dream: The F1 Path That Could Have Changed Everything
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Title: The Ferrari Dream That Slipped Through Sergio Perez’s Fingers: A Tale of What Could Have Been

In a stunning twist of fate, Sergio Perez finds himself back behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car at Imola, a full 14 years after his initial run in a 2009-spec vehicle at Fiorano. Once a bright-eyed prospect from the Ferrari Driver Academy, Perez’s journey has morphed into a saga of missed opportunities and unexpected turns, leading him away from Maranello and toward a new chapter with Cadillac next season.

What many fans may not realize is that Perez was once on the brink of racing for Ferrari, a possibility that seemed almost certain during his ascent in motorsport. The ambitious Mexican racer joined the Ferrari academy in October 2010, just as he was clinching a runner-up finish in GP2, trailing only Pastor Maldonado and surpassing future star Jules Bianchi. His debut in F1 came with Sauber in 2011, a season marked by impressive performances and strategic brilliance, especially in tire management. He made headlines with a remarkable one-stop strategy that led to a commendable seventh-place finish in his debut race in Australia—though later disqualified due to a technical infringement.

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The following year, Perez’s stock soared as he secured three podium finishes, including a second-place finish in Malaysia after leading the race. This performance placed him firmly in the spotlight and attracted interest from rival teams, ultimately leading to a high-profile move to McLaren to fill the void left by Lewis Hamilton’s departure. However, this pivotal moment also meant severing ties with Ferrari, who, despite recognizing his potential, deemed him too inexperienced for a race seat in 2013.

Reflecting on this critical juncture in his career, Perez revealed on the F1 Beyond the Grid podcast, “I was a Ferrari member, I was going to get a contract for 2014.” He explained that he had discussions with team principal Stefano Domenicali about a pre-contract, but the lack of guarantees led him to seek opportunities elsewhere. With Ferrari and Mercedes both interested in his talent, he felt compelled to pursue the McLaren position, believing it would propel him into a competitive car capable of winning titles.

However, Perez’s stint with McLaren proved to be short-lived, as he found himself back in the midfield after just one season. Despite a solid performance, he was replaced by Kevin Magnussen, and his reputation took a hit. Nevertheless, he rebounded at Force India (now Aston Martin), where he earned the nickname “king of the midfield,” consistently racking up points and podiums.

Fast forward to 2021, and Perez finally secured a seat with Red Bull Racing, where he celebrated his first grand prix victory in 2020 with Racing Point, adding a total of five wins to his resume. But one can’t help but ponder: what if he had stayed at Sauber for another year? Would he have been the one donning the iconic red of Ferrari in 2014, instead of Kimi Raikkonen? The possibilities are tantalizing, but fraught with uncertainty.

The reality is that while Perez was a legitimate candidate for a Ferrari seat, the intricacies of the sport’s politics and performance dynamics might have left him on the sidelines, even had he excelled in his third season with Sauber. Raikkonen’s signing was motivated by a need for reliability and experience, and Perez would have faced an uphill battle to prove he was a better choice.

As Perez continues to navigate his racing career, his recent experience at Imola serves as a poignant reminder of a dream that could have been. With Cadillac awaiting his presence on the grid, fans can only speculate about the alternate reality where Perez dons the Ferrari colors. The story of Sergio Perez is not just one of missed chances; it’s an exhilarating chronicle of ambition, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of greatness in the high-octane world of Formula 1.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-mclaren-f1-championshipaf-corse-ferrariLewis Hamiltonoracle-red-bull-racingpastor-maldonadoSergio Pérez
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