Perez receives 'open arms' support for huge motorsport return

Sergio Perez has received support from Formula E co-founder and friend Alberto Longo, who has insisted the all-electric series will wait with "open arms" should he switch to the category.

The Mexican driver is pushing for a return to Formula 1 and has been linked with a seat at Cadillac, the new American F1 team set to join the grid next season. 

However, Perez's father, Antonio, spoke to the media earlier this year at FE's Mexico City E-Prix and expressed his intent for the former Red Bull driver to compete in the series. 

Perez has yet to announce his motorsport plans since parting ways with Red Bull at the end of the 2024 F1 season, with Liam Lawson being promoted as his replacement. 

After just two races, Lawson is already facing a potential demotion by the Milton Keynes-based team, which could promote Yuki Tsunoda. 

Perez is known to bring with him substantial financial support, whilst his fanbase is also one of the largest in the world. 

Longo, who recognises how big Perez's following could be for FE, has revealed he is in regular contact with the 35-year-old.

"Oh, definitely," Longo told RacingNews365 in an exclusive interview in addressing the boost Perez's following would bring to FE. "I think we have seven million fans in Mexico, which is a massive number as a championship. 

"So imagine if we bring the biggest star of Mexico to our championship. It would be an honour to have him.

"Checo drove for me when I was the team owner of a Formula 2 team. I have a very good relationship with him, I speak with him regularly.

"I think he now wants to take a sabbatical year, and just move on from racing, at least for one year, but then we'll see.

"Antonio, his father, came to Mexico, and he was very vocal, 'I love this championship! My son will race here one day!', he said publicly to some media people there in Mexico. So obviously, if he comes, we will wait for him with wide open arms."

Perez's priority

Despite the appeal of having a driver like Perez in FE, Longo accepts the six-time F1 race winner is prioritising a return to the pinnacle of motorsport. 

However, according to Longo, Perez only wants to return to F1 if he has a competitive car. Should that not be an option, then a move to a different category would be of interest.

Longo knows FE would be at the top of his list in this scenario but it is down to the teams to sign him. 

"I do speak with him quite often, he doesn't say no," insisted Longo. "He has an interest today in continuing in Formula 1, but he will only continue in Formula 1 if he has a competitive car.

"If that doesn't happen, then he will explore other options. And I know we should be top of his priorities in terms of [if he doesn't return to F1]. 

"Obviously, it's not a decision of the promoter of the championship for Checo to join, it's a decision of every team principal of this grid to hire him. So, it's not on us at the end. 

"We can facilitate introductions, we can try to push for that to happen, but the decision is sitting on the teams and manufacturers, not on Formula E as a promoter."