Perez Claims He Is 'One of the Best' Following Red Bull Exit Recovery

Sergio Perez has declared that he is "one of the best" drivers in Formula 1, insisting that his return with Cadillac has vindicated his talent after a bruising exit from Red Bull. The Mexican has significantly outpaced team-mate Valtteri Bottas in one of the grid's slowest cars, steadily rebuilding confidence that evaporated during a miserable end to the 2024 campaign.

Why it matters:

Perez's redemption challenges the narrative that his Red Bull slump reflected permanent decline rather than situational struggles. His ability to extract more from an underdog package than a former Grand Prix winner underscores how heavily a driver's environment dictates results, a reality that raw statistics often obscure in F1's ruthless meritocracy.

The details:

• Perez scored just 44 points across the final 17 rounds of 2024 before parting ways with Red Bull, prompting questions about whether he was the root cause of the team's second-seat woes.
• After a lengthy hiatus, he signed with Cadillac for 2026 and, despite finishing no higher than 14th through the opening seven rounds, his pace has improved race by race.
• He has established a clear advantage over Bottas, giving Cadillac a reliable benchmark as F1's newest constructor finds its footing.
• Perez admitted his confidence was deeply "hurt" by the Red Bull ordeal, but realized the problem was circumstantial after getting back up to speed within 10 laps of returning to the cockpit following months away.
• He now views his Cadillac performances as proof that elite driving requires the right machinery and circumstances, not just raw ability.

Between the lines:

Perez's claim carries weight beyond personal redemption. If he continues to dominate a multiple-time race winner in Bottas while piloting a backmarker, the pressure shifts to Cadillac to develop a chassis matching his self-belief. For the wider paddock, his resurgence is a reminder that writing off experienced drivers during a rough patch can be premature when the machinery is failing to inspire confidence.