"Doors are open" for Formula E switch for Red Bull driver Sergio Perez

Will Mexican Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez one day drive in Formula E? At least that's what Alberto Longo - co-founder of the electric series - would like to see. The Spaniard has been in dialogue with Red Bull driver "Checo". During the Mexico City E-Prix, he made it clear: Perez would be welcome in Formula E.

"I am in constant discussions with Checo and hope that he makes the leap into real racing," laughs Longo. He leaves open what exactly he means by that. Possibly the chance to compete with numerous other top drivers with largely identical equipment, because the driver is probably a bigger factor in Formula E than in Formula 1.

Formula E could be a real home for Perez, Longo told AS media. "The doors are open for him and he is welcome." It is quite possible that Formula E would actively support a move for the F1 vice world champion, as it once did for Felipe Massa, who joined the Venturi team and generated global interest and positive headlines for Formula E.

Perez not averse to Formula E

In 2019, Perez once spoke favourably about Formula E: "It's definitely the series that has grown the most," the Mexican told Motorsport.com. "Maybe Formula E will be much bigger when I'm done with Formula 1 - that would make it very interesting."

Formula E has not quite been able to maintain its previous growth rate - partly due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, alongside the IndyCar Series, it is now probably the most attractive formula racing option after Formula 1, especially as the next technological advances in the coming years are already foreseeable, particularly in terms of increasing performance.

It is currently unclear which team would be open to signing the now 33-year-old - should Perez still be interested in Formula E at all. However, it is known that numerous FE driver contracts expire after the current 2024 season. And this may also apply to Perez in Formula 1, as it is questionable whether Red Bull Racing will extend his contract beyond this year.

Talks about contract extension with Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

Perez would definitely give the annual Formula E Mexico City E-Prix another boost. As in previous years, the race at the Autodromo Rodriguez was also sold out in 2024 with "more than 40,000" spectators, as reported by Formula E. In this context, Longo speaks of "one of the best races of the year" in Latin America.

As it seems, a contract extension with the race track in the centre of Mexico City is imminent. As FE Notebook reports, talks to this effect are said to have taken place during the E-Prix a week ago.

The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez was added to the Formula E racing calendar in 2016 and has been a permanent fixture of the electric series ever since - with the exception of the 2021 Puebla E-Prix, when Formula E had to move away due to the coronavirus pandemic.

For the time being, however, the focus is shifting to Saudi Arabia, where the Diriyah E-Prix with two night races is on the programme next weekend (26/27 January).