The Mexican Grand Prix is one of the most exciting races on the F1 calendar but this year it means something more to one driver in particular.

For in front of his adoring home fans, Sergio Perez reaches the landmark of starting his 300th Formula One race.

The milestone is a celebration of Perez’s longevity in a sport with a cutthroat reputation.

He first came into the sport with Sauber in 2011, raced for McLaren, Force India and Racing Point – with whom he had his first win in 2020 – before providing support for Max Verstappen as the Dutchman won the first first three of his four titles with Red Bull.

Landmark: Driver Sergio Perez poses with his helmet during a press conference at Teatro Telcel on October 27, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Picture: Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images)

placeholder image — Landmark: Driver Sergio Perez poses with his helmet during a press conference at Teatro Telcel on October 27, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Picture: Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images)

But when he lost his seat with Red Bull in 2024 – despite five wins and 29 podiums in four seasons – his career looked to be over.

After being out of Formula One for a year, Perez earned a return to the sport with newcomers Cadillac for the 2026 season.

Now 36, he returns home not as a championship or podium contender, but as a backmarker. Yet he is also a national hero who has started a new chapter in his F1 story.

“Reaching 300 Grands Prix is a proud milestone in my career,” said Perez.

“And there’s no better place to start that celebration than back on the streets of Mexico City with the fans who have supported me every step of the way.”

Perez has already given his fans plenty to celebrate as he became the first Mexican driver to stand on the podium at his home race back in 2022. He finished third in the drivers’ championship that season, a position he would improve to second a year later.

The circumstances this time around are different, however, with Cadillac still getting settled into Formula One. Perez is at the bottom of the standings with neither he nor team-mate Valterri Bottas – who partnered Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes – having scored a point.

But for the millions of fans who have made Sergio Perez into a symbol of Mexican motorsport, the value of “Checo” as he is affectionately known cannot be summed up on the basis of results. As F1 heads to his home, 300 races is a remarkable number but coming home to the people who have cheered him through them may be the part that matters most to Perez.