Pat Symonds defends Sergio Perez from 'undeserved' Red Bull criticism

Cadillac executive Pat Symonds has publicly defended Sergio Perez, calling the criticism the driver faced during his final years at Red Bull "undeserved" and praising him as a "very competent" and valuable team member. Symonds' comments come as Perez and Valtteri Bottas prepare to lead the new Cadillac F1 team's driver lineup for the 2026 season.

Why it matters:

Perez's exit from Red Bull was framed by widespread scrutiny of his performance alongside the dominant Max Verstappen. A respected engineering figure like Symonds challenging that narrative adds significant weight to the argument that Perez's struggles were overstated or misunderstood, potentially reshaping his legacy as he embarks on a crucial team-building project with Cadillac.

The details:

• Symonds, Cadillac's executive engineering consultant, shared his impressions after initial simulator sessions, stating he was "very impressed" with Perez's feedback and work ethic.
• He directly addressed the recent past: "Checo’s had some bad press in the last couple of years, and to me it’s undeserved. He’s a very competent driver, he’s won races, he knows what he’s doing."
• Red Bull Tenure: Perez's time at Red Bull was a mix of high achievement and intense pressure. He contributed significantly to two Constructors' Championships (2022, 2023) and secured five race wins, most memorably aiding Verstappen's 2021 title decider in Abu Dhabi.
• Mounting Pressure: Performance gaps grew, culminating in an eighth-place finish in the 2024 Drivers' standings while Verstappen won the title, leading to his exit by "mutual agreement" with the team.
• The Number Two Dynamic: Symonds' defense highlights the perennial challenge of being Verstappen's teammate. Perez, much like Bottas was to Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, operated in a clear support role but faced criticism when not winning, despite not being realistically expected to beat the team's primary star.

What's next:

Perez now faces the foundational challenge of helping build the new Cadillac team from the ground up. Pre-season testing in Bahrain showed the scale of the task, with Cadillac's times near the bottom of the order, though typical test run plans make true performance difficult to gauge.

• Perez has set clear, measured goals for the team's debut season, stating they would be "very disappointed to finish last" and aim to "beat a couple of teams."
• Success for Perez at Cadillac may be less about immediate podium finishes and more about establishing himself as a leader and technical contributor, using his extensive experience to develop a competitive package for the future and solidifying his F1 reputation beyond the shadow of his Red Bull chapter.