Perez Senior: “McLaren should give Pato O’Ward a chance. He is the future of South America”. Antonio Perez Garibay stated that he is personally committed to bringing a Latin American driver to F1.

Sergio Perez will not be on the Formula 1 grid in 2025. Red Bull has decided to part ways with the Mexican driver, terminating his contract early. The sport, however, has also lost Argentine Franco Colapinto, who will serve as Alpine’s third driver next year.

Antonio Perez Garibay, Checo’s father, has expressed his belief that there should be more Latin Americans in the category, also highlighting that McLaren could be the right team to welcome them.

Perez Sr.’s words
In an interview with SoyMotor, Antonio Perez Garibay stated that he is personally committed to bringing a Latin American driver to Formula 1: “Entering Formula 1 is very difficult, but finishing second in the world championship is almost impossible. We will work to bring a Mexican, a Latin American, back to Formula 1. What is happening now with Franco Colapinto and Checo is a small step. We need to keep going.”

The greatest hope for South America’s return to F1 lies in Pato O’Ward, a former Red Bull Junior driver and McLaren’s current reserve driver. Speaking about this, Perez said: “I hope that soon we will have Pato O’Ward or other young Mexicans in Formula 1. I think McLaren should give him a chance. Like Red Bull and Ferrari, McLaren has two excellent young drivers in Piastri and Norris, but it’s necessary to make room for Pato.” – he concluded.