F1: Top 5 Ferrari Driver Academy Graduates

#4 Sergio Perez

Sergio Perez was the only man not driving for a top 3 team to score a podium in 2018.

Sergio Perez is without doubt one of the most underrated drives currently in Formula 1, and the Mexican got his Grand Prix chance via the Ferrari driver academy.

Perez was snapped up in 2010, the year he finished runner-up to Pastor Maldonado in the GP2 series (now Formula 2) and Sergio would go on to become a Sauber driver for 2011.

2012 was where Perez really shined, though, as he came close to victory in treacherous conditions in Malaysia. The result in Sepang was one of three podiums that year, as he began a habbit of out-performing his midfield machinery.

A year to forget at McLaren in 2013 ended his relationship with Ferrari, but helped by the finances of Carlos Slim, Perez signed for Force India for 2014.

Since then, he's stood on the podium an additonal five times, including one at the most prestigious race of them all, the Monaco Grand Prix. He's also claimed F1's unofficial "best of the rest" spot in 2016 & 17, as well as being the only man from outside a top 3 team to stand on the podium last year.

If you were to criticise one aspect of Perez's F1 career, it would probably be his decision making when it comes to choosing his team. In 2016, Checo turned down a move to Renault, something that his then-teammate Nico Hulkenberg didn't do.

Perhaps Sergio is biding his time, but it certainly seems as though Renault have a much chance than Force India (now called Racing Point) of claiming podiums and wins in the near future.