Sergio Perez admits that balancing having a young family with competing in F1 can be a challenge. Sebastian Vettel announced shortly before the Hungarian Grand Prix that he will retire from the sport at the end of 2022, and cited his intention to spend more time with his children as one of his reasons for walking away. Like Vettel, Perez is a father, and he acknowledges that it can be tough to juggle the commitments of being a Formula 1 driver with being a parent. "Every time you go away, you think about every goodbye you say to your kids," Perez told media, including RacingNews365.com . "It's hard. It's a sport that takes everything out of you, out of your personal life. You basically don't have much of a personal life, because you are always working. "You're always training, you're always looking what you're eating, and [it's] the same when you are with your kids."
Perez understands Vettel's decision
While Perez can understand why Vettel has chosen to focus more on his personal life, the Mexican remains motivated to stay in F1. "[Vettel's decision is] very acceptable and understandable," Perez continued. "But, I think when you have a project that motivates you, and you want to be here, then you know what the price [is]. "Sometimes you are not willing to pay it anymore, and that's when you better say goodbye to the sport."
Choosing when to leave F1 is a "personal decision"
In light of this, Perez was asked about the idea that the reward for him had improved following his move to front-running Red Bull, while Vettel has seen his chances of victory slip away after moving from Ferrari to Aston Martin. Perez agrees that the possibility of finishing higher is an added incentive, though admits that the decision of when to walk away from the sport is personal to each driver. "I think that's a very personal decision," he added. "I think that's extremely personal. It's how you feel, and what you want to do with your family. "As you're getting older, you definitely put other priorities in place, and then you are not willing to pay the price for being an F1 driver, because it has a price. "Sometimes you are [willing to pay it], and sometimes you're not."
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