Perez: 'I'm one of the top drivers' – Cadillac return restores confidence

Sergio Perez's return to Formula 1 with Cadillac has already erased the self-doubt that lingered after his difficult Red Bull exit. Just a few races into 2026, he is convinced he belongs among the sport's top drivers again, and early results against teammate Valtteri Bottas support that claim.

Why it matters:

After being dropped by Red Bull at the end of 2024 following a tough final six months, Perez's career looked possibly over. But his strong start with Cadillac — consistently outpacing Bottas in qualifying and races — has reshaped the narrative. It also highlights how the second Red Bull seat was always a uniquely difficult environment, as successors Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have also struggled.

The details:

• Perez admits he had doubts about returning, mainly due to family, but felt he didn't want to leave F1 the way it ended. Now he says: "I believe myself that I'm one of the top drivers here."
• He has been quicker than Bottas in four of the last five qualifying sessions (including sprints). A battery issue in Miami Q1 prevented a possible 5-0 run.
• Other midfield teams are reportedly taking notice of Perez's resurgence, seeing a driver back at his personal best.
• Perez is pushing Cadillac hard for operational improvements, calling the team's operations "lacking tremendously" despite solid underlying pace.
• The team has struggled with systems, fuel system issues, and aerodynamic fitting — problems Perez is impatient to see solved.
• He sees the next few races as critical to measure team progress: "The next couple of months are going to be the biggest test for Cadillac."

What's next:

Perez is under contract at Cadillac but is realistic about his timeline. He wants to contribute to a successful project, not just end his career without points. As he pushes for faster improvement, his early form has already put him back on the radar of rival teams looking for future options. For now, his focus remains on dragging Cadillac up the grid, convinced that in the right environment, he truly belongs among F1's best.