Perez dismisses 'rusty' label after Cadillac's tough F1 start

Sergio Perez has strongly rejected the notion that he is "rusty" after a year away from Formula 1, attributing Cadillac's lack of points to the team's challenging debut car and race incidents rather than his own performance. The six-time grand prix winner is looking ahead to a major upgrade in Miami as the key to joining the midfield fight.

Why it matters:

The public exchange highlights the intense scrutiny on Cadillac's all-new F1 project and its veteran driver lineup. Perez's defense underscores the fine line between driver performance and team reliability in a sport where perception can quickly solidify into narrative, especially for a new entrant under pressure to show progress.

The details:

• The comments originated from team board member and F1 legend Mario Andretti, who suggested on a podcast that Perez and teammate Valtteri Bottas might be "a little bit rusty" after their season away, leading them to drive carefully to avoid creating extra work for the team.
• Perez countered at the Japanese GP, stating he has been "performing on a very high level" and was happy with his initial qualifying pace in Melbourne.
• He pinpointed the real issues as a non-straightforward car and significant in-race damage in the opening rounds, which hampered results more than any lack of speed or sharpness.
• Signs of Progress at Suzuka: The Japanese Grand Prix provided a positive step, with Perez finishing on the lead lap for the first time this season and reducing his qualifying deficit, noting he could race closely with other midfield cars.

What's next:

All attention turns to a significant upgrade package planned for the Miami Grand Prix, Cadillac's first home race of the year.

• Perez explicitly stated the car needs about a second of lap time and hopes the Miami upgrade will be the "biggest test" to finally mix with the midfield.
• The extended break before Miami gives the team crucial time to develop and integrate the new parts. If the upgrade delivers the expected step, Perez believes he is more than ready to translate his claimed personal performance into points and definitively silence the "rusty" talk.