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Cadillac using an old Ferrari for its proper F1 track debut puts Sergio Perez back behind the wheel of a Ferrari for the first time since he chose to cut ties with its junior programme
Sergio Perez is testing a Ferrari Formula 1 car at Imola this week, marking his return to the team after 14 years since he last drove a 2009-spec car at Fiorano. Back then, he was a Ferrari Driver Academy prospect during his 2011 F1 rookie season with Sauber, but now he’s a seasoned veteran getting ready for his comeback with Cadillac next year, utilizing a borrowed Ferrari due to the twists in his career path.
The possibility of Perez driving for Ferrari in F1 was taken seriously, with a deal announced in 2010 when he was on his way to a strong GP2 season. Perez’s rookie F1 season with Sauber showcased his talent for tyre management, with impressive performances punctuating a somewhat inconsistent year.
Perez’s 2012 season saw three podiums, with his standout moment being a near-win in Malaysia before finishing 2nd behind Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari. This success caught McLaren’s eye, leading to Perez joining the team for the 2013 season, severing his ties with Ferrari in the process.
While rumors circulated about a Ferrari deal for Perez in 2014, he clarified that it was a pre-contract with no guarantees. In the end, Perez’s career path diverged from the one that had once seemed destined for Ferrari, with his future now leading him back to Formula 1 with a fresh perspective and determination.
