Perez: 'Nothing to Prove,' Excited for Cadillac F1 Return in 2026

Sergio Perez will return to Formula 1 in 2026 with Cadillac, partnering with fellow veteran Valtteri Bottas as part of the new American outfit's debut campaign. After a year on the sidelines, the Mexican driver, now 35, insists his comeback is about passion and perspective, not validation, despite leaving Red Bull under difficult circumstances at the end of 2024.

Why it matters

Perez claims he has 'nothing to prove' after a challenging Red Bull exit, emphasizing a fresh focus on enjoying the sport. This return signals a new chapter for the veteran driver and a significant move for Cadillac's F1 entry.

The details

• Perez's exit from Red Bull followed several turbulent seasons alongside Max Verstappen, where he struggled to adapt to the team's car.
• He was ultimately replaced by Liam Lawson, who then ceded the seat to Yuki Tsunoda after just two races. Both successors failed to impress with the demanding second Red Bull machine, reinforcing Perez's belief that his reputation doesn't need rescuing.
• "I feel like there's nothing to prove," Perez stated. "It's been a very tricky place to be in, to constantly be adapting, to build confidence mentally. It's a very unique challenge."
• He noted the limited points scored by subsequent drivers in the Red Bull seat, further validating his perspective.
• Perez admitted that stepping away from racing in 2025 was critical for regaining clarity. "Instead of jumping into something just for staying on the grid, I needed that time to disconnect from the sport and to understand what I really want next in my career."
• Discussions with the Cadillac team made it clear this was the project that excited him: "It's just not going back to the grid with a regular team... This is a whole project. The dynamic, I feel, is different."

A new outlook

Perez gained a fresh perspective during his time off, realizing that many concerns drivers have are "totally irrelevant to the public aspect." His new vision is to "enjoy it and give the maximum every single time I'm in the car, working with the team."

What's next

With Cadillac starting from scratch in 2026, Perez acknowledges that immediate podiums won't be the benchmark. Instead, progress and effort will define success for the new team. "Sometimes you've done a tremendous race and you finish P15... that should be something to feel proud of, watching the sport from the outside."