Sergio Pérez’s father was hospitalized after suffering a medical emergency following his son’s crash at Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday.
Mexican Formula 1 driver Sergio Pérez has found himself in the spotlight due to a distressing incident following his crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as his father, Antonio Perez Garibay, was hospitalized after suffering a pre-heart attack in Mexico City on Sunday.
The Red Bull driver was engaged in an intense battle for position when he collided with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on the penultimate lap just after he had successfully overtaken Charles Leclerc for second place.
The impact of the crash forced both drivers to retire from the race prematurely, while Oscar Piastri capitalized on the chaos to secure victory. However, the repercussions of the incident extended far beyond the racetrack, plunging Pérez’s family into a crisis.
Reports indicate that Sergio Perez’s father was found unconscious in his bathroom shortly after the crash. He was discovered by family members who immediately called for emergency medical assistance.
Paramedics from the Mexican Red Cross arrived promptly and transported him to a hospital in Mexico City for urgent care. Initial assessments suggested that he suffered from a pre-infarction condition, which is often indicative of an impending heart attack.
The medical emergency was believed to have been triggered by the stress and shock of witnessing his son’s crash during such a high-pressure event.
Following his hospitalization, Antonio Perez Garibay was placed under intensive care where medical professionals could closely monitor his condition. A statement released by his team confirmed that he was stable but would remain under observation for several days as doctors focused on his heart and other vital organs.
“Mr. Perez Garibay is stable but remains in intensive care under constant medical review, focusing mainly on his heart and other vital organs,” the statement read. “The specialists in charge have indicated that his condition continues to be closely monitored.
“On behalf of Mr. Antonio Perez Garibay and his entire team, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Mexican Red Cross for their prompt intervention, which was essential to safeguard his life.
“We also extend our appreciation and gratitude to the doctors and health personnel who are treating him in a hospital in Mexico City.
“According to medical reports, Mr. Pérez Garibay will remain hospitalised for a few more days to continue his recovery. We thank everyone for their support and solidarity at this time. Sincerely yours. Antonio Perez Garibay Team.”
In an interview with a local publication, Sergio Perez’s father shared insights into his medical scare, stating that he believed “the shock of the accident may have caused” his fainting episode.
“Everything happened after the accident,” the 69-year old said. “The shock of the accident may have caused it. They are already checking my heart to see why I fainted.”
Sunday’s crash saw Perez fail to finish on the podium, a feat he has not now managed since April’s Chinese Grand Prix and he will be seeking to rebound from the setback in Singapore.
The 34-year old dropped to seventh in the driver standings with 143 points, a staggering 170 points behind teammate and championship leader Max Verstappen, while McLaren overtook Red Bull in the constructor standings.
