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Sergio Perez graduated from karts at the tender age of 14 and was immediately brought under the wing of telecommunications giant Telmex, which sent him to the Skip Barber Racing School in the USA.

Telmex money then oiled his progression through the European junior formulas, seeing him race in Formula BMW, British Formula 3 and reach GP2 at just 18 years old. Despite wins along the way, he never took an overall title victory (although he did win the British F3 national series).

However, his talent started to shine through in the GP2 Asia Series and he became the youngest ever winner in the category with victory at the Bahrain sprint race. In his first European GP2 season he finished 12th after picking up a couple of podiums, but it was in 2010 when he really made a name for himself, taking four wins including the prestigious Monaco feature race.

His Telmex backing secured him a place in F1 for 2011 but a strong rookie season saw him resist the pay driver tag. A show of faith from Sauber came as early as the British Grand Prix in July where he was announced as part of an unchanged line-up alongside fellow GP2 graduate Kamui Kobayashi for a second season.

The second year proved more successful than the first as Perez so nearly won the second race in Malaysia, eventually settling for second place behind Fernando Alonso. More impressive results came with a third place in Canada and a second at Monza ahead of both Ferraris. As a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy it wasn't enough to convince Luca di Montezemolo to give him a race seat for 2013, but the performances saw McLaren swoop to sign him as Lewis Hamilton's replacement.

Strengths and Weaknesses
Undoubtedly fast but has yet to show the maturity and all-round ability to win a championship outright. His biggest test is set to come at McLaren in 2013.

Career High
His first F1 podium, which was so nearly a victory, at the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2012. It gave him the recognition in the paddock he needed to ultimately secure a place at McLaren in 2013.

Career Low
Crashing heavily during qualifying in Monaco having made it through to the top ten shootout, being hospitalised overnight and subsequently missing the race as well as the Canadian Grand Prix two weeks later.

Quotes
"Competition. I love to compete - every single day. Not only in driving, also on the physical and mental side."

"Off track, I'm pretty wild to tell you the truth!"

Trivia
Perez is very superstitious and wears a number of lucky bracelets every time he races. One is from his grandmother.

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