Sergio Perez has posted a message of solidarity with the people of Venezuela amid extraordinary political turmoil in the country.
In an Instagram Story shared on Saturday, the Cadillac F1 driver wrote: "Venezuelan brothers and sisters, I send you a warm, heartfelt embrace. You are an example that faith is never lost!! My prayers are with all of you!! Free Venezuela."
The final sentence was accompanied by two love heart emojis, which were silver and red, respectively.
His message of encouragement comes as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into United States custody and transported to New York following a major military operation carried out by U.S. forces.
On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces had conducted a pre-dawn "large-scale strike" on targets in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, whom Trump said would face charges in the United States.
The couple arrived in New York on Saturday evening and are expected to make an initial court appearance in federal court in Manhattan.
Perez is returning to a full-time F1 seat in 2026 with the fledgling American team, partnering Valtteri Bottas, who also spent the previous season on the sidelines.
See a screenshot of Sergio Perez's Instagram story below.
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