One of Formula 1’s longest active streaks ended Sunday
By Asher Fair
Sergio Perez’s streak of 122 consecutive Formula 1 starts came to an end on Sunday. It had been the third longest active streak in the sport.
Sergio Perez was unable to compete in today’s Formula 1 race, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit, after testing positive for COVID-19 this past Thursday.
The 30-year-old Mexican was replaced by Nico Hulkenberg alongside teammate Lance Stroll for this 52-lap race around the 18-turn, 3.661-mile (5.892-kilometer) in Silverstone, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom. Unfortunately, Hulkenberg was unable to start the race due to mechanical issues while Stroll finished in ninth place.
Prior to this afternoon, Perez had not missed a race since he was unable to compete in the 2014 Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit as a result of a gearbox issue.
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He had competed in 122 consecutive races through the third race of the 2020 season, the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring.
But that streak, which was the third longest active streak in the sport, came to an abrupt and unexpected end today.
The only drivers whose active streaks were longer than that of Perez were Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo. Hamilton hasn’t missed a single race in his entire 254-race career dating back to the 2007 Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, and Ricciardo hasn’t missed a single race in his entire 175-race career dating back to the 2011 British Grand Prix.
It is likely that Perez will also have to sit out next Sunday’s 70th Anniversary Grand Prix, which is also a 52-lap race slated to take place at Silverstone Circuit.
Due to the fact that the United Kingdom’s government extended the isolation period for those who have tested positive from seven to 10 days on the same day Perez tested positive, which was 10 days prior to next Sunday’s race, it is likely that he will be forced to miss consecutive events for the first time since his rookie season in 2011, when he didn’t start the Monaco Grand Prix at Circuit de Monaco after crashing in qualifying or the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve after feeling unwell following the opening practice session.
Additionally, the FIA have reportedly mandated that he isolate for at least 10 days.
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The 70th Anniversary Grand Prix is set to be broadcast live on ESPN from Silverstone Circuit next Sunday, August 9 beginning at 9:10 a.m. ET, just like today’s British Grand Prix.