Will Buxton recalls the Drive to Survive scene that left Sergio Perez ‘furious’

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Sergio Perez has perhaps been one of the most heavily criticised drivers in Formula 1 in recent years. Perez is a vastly experienced driver but may have found it difficult to deal with the scrutiny at Red Bull.

For years, Perez was among the highest-rated drivers outside the traditional big names. He started out in F1 with Sauber in 2011 but 2012 was truly his breakout season as he scored three podiums, very nearly winning the Malaysian Grand Prix.

That sparkling form earned him a move to McLaren, but he joined just as the team’s downfall began. The relationship lasted only a year, with Perez departing for Force India.

He raced for the team for the next seven seasons, which included the transition to Racing Point. In that time, he scored a further seven podiums, including a magnificent maiden victory at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix.

Just weeks after that triumph, Perez left the team. Ahead of their Aston Martin rebrand, they struck a deal to sign four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Lawrence Stroll’s investment kept Lance Stroll in the seat alongside him, and Perez found himself in a remarkable situation. Where most would fall off the grid or drop to a lesser team after losing their seat, Perez agreed a deal with Red Bull.

Sergio Perez was livid over ‘pay driver’ tag in Drive to Survive, Will Buxton says

Perez has never been able to match Max Verstappen on a consistent basis, but it’s only in the last couple of years that his position has come under serious threat. He finished a record 290 points behind the Dutchman in the 2023 standings.

And this year, an abject run of form from Imola until Silverstone may have cost his team the constructors’ title. Others would argue that McLaren were destined to catch Red Bull away given their divergent paths in the development race.

In the words of Will Buxton, the 34-year-old boasts ‘phenomenal backing’ from his homeland. Mexican businessman Carlos Slim may have helped Perez keep his Red Bull seat.

But he’s rarely been labelled a pay driver because of the level he reached across his first decade in the sport. When he thought Netflix documentary Drive to Survive categorised him as such, he confronted Buxton.

“Season 1 – Perez furious with me because there was a bit all about pay drivers,” the F1TV presenter told the Fast and the Curious. “And they’d asked me ‘what’s a pay driver?’, so I explained what a pay driver was.

“Checo’s always had really phenomenal backing. It doesn’t detract from his phenomenal talent. But it has certainly helped to ease cogs along the way of getting him into some seats, as it would do for anybody.

“They painted it exclusively with pictures and footage of Sergio. I said [to Perez], ‘I never said you were, I just explained what one was!’.”

Sergio Perez also challenged Will Buxton over his comments in later season

While some drivers disengage from social media and the news cycle, Perez seems to keep abreast. In a recent post on X, he mocked those who had circulated a rumour about him retiring at the Mexico City GP.

Perez ignored the advice given to F1 drivers – don’t comment on your future unless making an official statement. But in doing so, he sent a message of defiance to his fans.

Also in season one of Drive to Survive, Buxton said Perez ‘looked like a rookie’ during a race in Singapore. The then Racing Point driver took exception to these remarks.

The two drivers later had breakfast, where Perez brought up his ‘really harsh’ comments. Buxton stood by them, aware that he had to be ‘answerable’ for what he’d said.