Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s father, Antonio Perez Garibay, was found unconscious in the bathroom of his home in Mexico City, an incident allegedly triggered by stress following Sergio’s severe crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Emergency responders from the Mexican Red Cross promptly transported Antonio for urgent medical care, where symptoms indicated he might have suffered a heart attack.
Currently stabilized, Antonio shared an update on his condition via a video on social media, where his heart remains under close medical surveillance with additional tests planned. Addressing his followers, Antonio attributed his health scare to the shock from Sergio’s crash. “Everything happened after the accident. The shock of the accident may have caused it. They are already checking my heart to see why I fainted,” he revealed. Despite the ordeal, Antonio expressed optimism about his recovery, writing on Instagram, “THANK GOD FOR SO MUCH. FRIENDS AND FAMILY I’M BETTER I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SHOWS OF LOVE.”
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix crash occurred on Lap 50 of the 51-lap race when Sergio Perez collided with Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz during a heated battle for positions. As Perez narrowly missed overtaking Charles Leclerc for second place, Sainz attempted to take advantage of the situation but ended up compromising his racing line and colliding with Perez. The crash resulted in significant damage to both Sainz’s SF-24 and Perez’s RB20, forcing both to retire from the race. Post-race stewards analyzed the incident, ruling it a racing incident without attributing specific blame.
Consequences of the crash extended beyond personal implications for the Perez family. McLaren, spearheaded by Oscar Piastri’s victory under Virtual Safety Car conditions, extended its lead over Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship by 20 points. Charles Leclerc finished in second place after a determined effort, while Mercedes’ George Russell rounded out the podium in third place, largely due to the Perez-Sainz incident. The Baku race highlighted McLaren’s proficiency on tight street circuits, suggesting potential future successes in other urban tracks like Singapore.
As the Formula 1 community reflects on the intense Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the personal trials faced by the Perez family, the focus turns towards recovery and upcoming racetrack challenges. Antonio Perez Garibay’s health scare serves as a poignant reminder of the emotional and physical toll racing can impose, extending beyond the track to the support systems standing behind each driver.
