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Perez Sr strikes again: Is Formula E in the cards for Checo?

There’s never a dull moment when Antonio Perez, the ever-animated father of Sergio Pérez, is in the spotlight.

The man has a knack for lighting up headlines, and his latest comments have everyone scratching their heads, chuckling, and asking: “Is he serious?”

Last week, the Mexican alluded to “some very big things” coming for his son following Checo’s departure from the F1 grid at the end of last season, adding that the “best version” of the former Red Bull charger has yet to come.

In a follow-up comment made during last weekend’s Mexico City E-Prix, Perez Sr added another level of intrigue to his son’s motorsport future.

Perez Sr’s Bombshell

“I would never have imagined Formula E,” Perez Sr. declared to Estadio Deportes, a line that seemed innocent enough until he added: “I would be careful because we could have Checo Perez racing here.”

But wait, there’s more! Antonio not only painted a bold picture of Formula E’s trajectory, he predicted that the all-electric series would leave Formula 1 in its trail of volts within the next five years!

“Of course, without any problem, [I see him racing here],” he added.

“The category has been around for 11 years, it is very young. Today it is number two in the world and within the next five years, it will be number one!”

Sure, FE is growing – it’s innovative and sustainable. But dethroning the pinnacle of motorsport in half a decade? Antonio Pérez has clearly stocked up on optimism in bulk, and perhaps a few cases of tequila.

A Year to Forget… Or to Move On?

Only time will tell if an electro-choc is on its way for Sergio Perez, but the timing of his father’s comments couldn’t be more fascinating.

Fresh off what can only be described as a nightmare season in F1, the 34-year-old is at a career crossroads.

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His 2024 campaign with Red Bull ended in disappointment: zero podiums in the last 19 races, an eighth-place finish in the Driver standings, and a gaping 285-point chasm between him and Verstappen.

Red Bull, unsurprisingly, didn’t wait long to announce Liam Lawson as his replacement for 2025.

While Checo himself has kept his cards close to his chest – saying his future will be decided in six months – his father seems to have skipped ahead to the next chapter.

Antonio isn’t speculating about whether Checo could return to F1; he’s already imagining him zipping around Formula E circuits in a sleek electric machine.

“I am looking forward to what comes next,” Antonio said cryptically, adding just enough flair to make you wonder if he knows something we don’t.

Formula E’s Door Is Open… But Is There a Seat?

Interestingly, Antonio Perez isn’t the only one talking about Checo’s potential future in Formula E.

Alberto Longo, the co-founder of the championship, has already rolled out the proverbial red carpet.

“We welcome him with open arms,” Longo told Estadio Deportes. But there’s a catch—and it’s a big one.

“I also say that it is not the decision of the championship's promoters, which is us, but rather his decision and then that of the main teams, because in the end, they are the ones who decide who sits in each of their cars.”

So, Formula E would love to have Checo, but he’d need to catch the eye of a team willing to put him in a car.

While his star power and experience could make him a tantalizing prospect, he’d still need to prove his worth in a category with its own unique challenges and quirks.

Checo’s Future: Electric or Unplugged?

For now, Sergio Perez has some big decisions ahead. Does he fight for a return to Formula 1, perhaps with a mid-tier team eager for his experience?
Or does he take a leap into the unknown and embrace the challenge of Formula E, a series his father clearly believes is the future of motorsport?

Whatever he decides, one thing is certain: Antonio Pérez will be there, cheering

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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