F1 News: Sergio Pérez's Father Hospitalized Following Azerbaijan GP Crash

Following the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix , a concerning incident unfolded involving Sergio Pérez's father, Antonio Pérez Garibay. According to a report from El Heraldo , the elder Pérez experienced a health scare and was rushed to the hospital due to a pre-infarction, which is believed to have been triggered by stress related to his son's crash during the race. Antonio was found unconscious at his home in Mexico City and was successfully transported to medical care by emergency services. As of now, he is reported to be in recovery, although his current hospitalization status remains unclear.

The pivotal moment during the race occurred on Lap 50 when Sergio collided with Carlos Sainz after battling for position with Charles Leclerc. Both drivers were ultimately eliminated from the race as a result of this incident. In the aftermath, Sainz described the collision as "unfortunate," expressing his confusion regarding the circumstances leading to it: "I was attacking Charles into Turn 2... and suddenly for some reason I don’t understand, Checo and I collided."

Initially, Sergio reacted angrily on the team radio, calling Sainz "an idiot," but later reflected on the encounter, labeling it "very unfortunate." He acknowledged the rapidly evolving situation, stating, "It all happened so quickly." Oscar Piastri capitalized on the incident, securing victory for McLaren, while George Russell from Mercedes praised their car's performance, saying, "I think we were one of the quickest out there" despite the chaotic circumstances.

The race stewards reviewed the collision and ruled it a racing incident, meaning no penalties were imposed on either driver. This ruling highlights the nature of competitive racing, where emotions and pressures run high not only for the drivers but also for their families. Antonio Pérez's health emergency emphasizes the intense stakes involved in the sport, making it clear that the implications of race day resonate far beyond the track.

Related: F1 News: Ollie Bearman Makes History with Points for Two Teams in First Two Races

Going Deeper

Reference Links:

1. Sergio Pérez's Father Rushed to Hospital After Azerbaijan GP Crash
2. Azerbaijan GP: Sainz, Pérez crash ruled as racing incident
3. Formula 1 - Sports Illustrated
4. Checo Pérez revealed that he is undergoing medical examinations
5. Google Search on Sergio Pérez's Father's Hospitalization