Perez feels more valued at Cadillac than during tough Red Bull finale

Sergio Perez says his technical feedback is "much more appreciated" at the new Cadillac F1 team than it was during his difficult final months at Red Bull. The veteran driver, now paired with Valtteri Bottas, is embracing his role in a long-term project after a year on the sidelines, finding renewed motivation in helping build a team from the ground up.

Why it matters:

A driver's ability to effectively communicate with engineers and influence car development is a critical, often underrated, component of success in Formula 1. Perez's candid comparison highlights how team culture and dynamics can significantly impact a driver's performance and satisfaction. For Cadillac, attracting and leveraging the experience of a proven race-winner like Perez is a foundational strategy for navigating the immense challenges of being a debutant constructor.

The details:

• Perez described the last six months of his Red Bull tenure as "tough in all areas," leading to a necessary break in 2025 before joining Cadillac.
• He stated that internal issues at Red Bull, which he could see from the inside, later became more visible to outsiders after his departure.
• At Cadillac, he notes a unified direction, saying, "the way that the car is being developed and the way we're pushing forwards in the same direction, it obviously helps."
• Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss emphasized that the team specifically sought experienced drivers to handle the inevitable "ups and downs" of a first season.
  • He stated that Perez's interview made the abstract need for experience "come alive," demonstrating how a veteran would guide the team through unfamiliar situations.
• Towriss praised both Perez and Bottas for their patience during pre-season testing, calling their direction "instrumental" in working through the complexities of a new car and team operations.
• The team's debut at the Australian Grand Prix was challenging, with both cars qualifying at the back. Bottas retired with a technical issue, and Perez finished 16th, three laps down.

What's next:

Cadillac views its inaugural season as a long-term investment, with Perez and Bottas serving as key development pillars. The immediate focus will be on reliability and systematically learning from each race weekend. Perez's renewed sense of value and clear role could unlock a more consistent performance from the driver, which will be vital for Cadillac to steadily climb the competitive order in the coming seasons. Their progress will be a key narrative to watch as the 2026 season unfolds.