Background and Significance of Checo Pérez
Checo Pérez, the sole Mexican driver in Formula 1 (F1), is embarking on a new phase of his racing career with Cadillac as his primary sponsor. With 14 years of experience under his belt, Pérez’s journey began in 2002 when the Escudería Telmex was founded. The influential Slim family has been his constant supporter throughout his career, with their brands Telcel Infinitum Claro adorning his cars.
The Slim Family’s Perspective
Carlos Slim Domit, President of the Board of Administration for Telmex, América Móvil, Grupo Carso, and Grupo Sanborns, has entrusted Pérez with the Cadillac contract. He describes it as a “necessary and unique project.” The Slim family, known for nurturing racing talents, now aims to learn from Cadillac as they prepare for the future generation of Mexican drivers.
Key Actions and Ideas
- Cadillac Partnership: Cadillac will support Checo Pérez in his final racing chapter, aiming to consolidate his career.
- Slim Family’s Role: The Slim family, with their expertise in F1 negotiations, will ensure the continuation of Mexican racing talent post-Checo.
- Future Mexican Drivers: The Slim family is preparing the next generation of Mexican drivers, including Pato O’Ward, Noel León, Ernesto Rivera, and Daniel Suárez.
Key Questions and Answers
- What does this new phase mean for you as business leaders?
The Slim family emphasizes the importance of combining Pérez’s exceptional skills with Cadillac’s relevance, creating a consolidating challenge for his career. - How do you handle the responsibility of being the most influential family in motorsports?
The Slim family acknowledges that pilots are the most influential factor in motorsports success, praising the efforts of organizers, FIA, and Mexican drivers like Pérez.
Context and Impact
In 2024, when rumors of Pérez leaving Red Bull circulated, Carlos Slim stressed the importance of joining a competitive team rather than one that hadn’t achieved top classifications. Telmex, Infinitum, and Claro ceased sponsoring Red Bull in 2025 due to AT&T’s entry into telecommunications. The Slim family, with their F1 negotiation expertise, will ensure Mexican motorsports’ survival post-Pérez.
Carlos Slim has been closely following promising young drivers, including Pato O’Ward, Noel León in Formula 2, Ernesto Rivera in F3, and Daniel Suárez in NASCAR. He believes that talent is abundant among these drivers, and opportunities will depend on their performance and career progression in F1.
