Antonio Perez Garibay, father of celebrated Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez, recently faced a serious health challenge. This incident occurred following Sergio’s high-speed collision with Carlos Sainz during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Antonio was found unconscious in his bathroom, suffering from a pre-infarction – a significant precursor to a heart attack.
Fortunately, the Perez family shared encouraging news about Antonio’s health. As reported by Mirror, they announced his release from the hospital, stating:
“After several days of care, Mr. Antonio Perez Garibay has been discharged and is currently recovering at home, surrounded by loved ones.
“Mr. Perez Garibay, along with Scuderia Perez, wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to family, friends, and the media for their overwhelming support during this difficult time.”
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“Don Antonio will continue his recovery following medical advice. We appreciate your understanding and support and will keep you updated on significant changes in his health.”
Antonio speculated that the stress from the crash might have triggered his medical episode. He stated, “Everything unfolded after the incident. The shock could have caused it. They are currently examining my heart to understand why I fainted.”
Sergio also commented on the crash that curtailed his chance for a podium finish, saying, as quoted by Formula1.com:
“I thought there was ample space between us exiting Turn 2, but we ended up making contact in a blink of an eye. It was unfortunate, all happening so fast.”
He continued, “[Our pace was] a huge positive today. We had the speed to contend for the win, and we need to maintain this momentum for the upcoming races.”
The collision not only dashed Perez’s hopes for a podium but also allowed McLaren to surpass Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
2024 Constructors’ Championship: Current Standings
1. McLaren – 476 points
2. Red Bull – 456 points
3. Ferrari – 425 points
4. Mercedes – 309 points
5. Aston Martin – 82 points
6. VCARB – 34 points
7. Haas – 29 points
8. Williams – 16 points
9. Alpine – 13 points
10. Sauber – 0 points