Perez: Cadillac return aimed at proving I'm 'one of the best'

Sergio Perez has revealed that his decision to return to Formula 1 with Cadillac in 2026 was driven by a deep desire to prove he remains "one of the best" on the grid, following a draining end to his Red Bull tenure. After describing his final six months at Milton Keynes as "toxic," the Mexican took a year away from the sport to recharge before joining the new American constructor.

Why it matters:

Perez's open remarks highlight the mental toll of his Red Bull exit, where struggling to match his teammate's pace steadily drained his confidence. His Cadillac comeback is more than a second chance; it is a bid to ensure his F1 legacy isn't defined solely by those final difficult months.

The details:

• The motivation: On the High Performance podcast, Perez said meeting Cadillac owner Dan Towriss persuaded him the project had genuine ambition. He viewed the move as a chance to help build an organization from scratch while reminding the paddock he belongs among the elite.
• Red Bull fallout: Perez admitted his final months at Milton Keynes were "toxic" and that seeing his teammate win while he struggled "takes confidence from you." He maintained he understood the car issues but found the environment impossible to thrive in.
• Early days: At the time of recording, Cadillac had only completed six races. Perez acknowledged the team is still forging its culture, yet he believes the combined force of General Motors and TWG will push the operation to the front in time.

What's next:

Cadillac remains in a steep development curve as F1's newest entrant, making Perez's veteran input invaluable beyond the cockpit. If the team's infrastructure matures as planned, the Mexican will hope to convert his renewed self-belief into consistent points during the latter half of his first season back.