Red Bull Engineer Predicts 'Fighting Fit' Sergio Perez Return with Cadillac in 2026

Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan expects Sergio Perez to return to form with Cadillac in 2026, predicting he'll be "fighting fit and fairly quick" after a year away from F1. Perez will partner Valtteri Bottas to form an experienced driver line-up for the new American team, which faces the immense challenge of entering the grid during a massive technical regulation overhaul. The move offers Perez a definitive chance to reset his career after a difficult end to his time at Red Bull.

Why it matters:

• Perez's return is a major career storyline, offering a chance for the six-time race winner to revive his reputation after a slump in form led to his premature Red Bull exit.
• Cadillac's entry as an 11th team with General Motors backing adds a significant new player to the F1 grid, potentially altering the competitive landscape and bringing a major manufacturer back to the forefront.
• The 2026 season represents a massive technical reset with new power units and chassis, making the performance of a new outfit like Cadillac a key indicator of how the new regulations might shake up the established order.

The details:

• Monaghan's take: The Red Bull engineer acknowledged Perez's struggles at the end of his tenure but believes a break will be beneficial. "Perhaps a year off, a bit of sunshine, reset the brain, and he’ll come back — and he’ll be fighting fit and fairly quick, I feel."
• Stevenson's view: Aston Martin sporting director Andy Stevenson, a former colleague, called Perez a "fantastic talent" and said he'd "love to see him relaunch his career." He cautioned that Cadillac is a "genuine challenge" that won't be dismissed.
• Resta's analysis: Mercedes' deputy technical director Simone Resta, who has experience with a new team from his time at Haas, believes Cadillac can be "in the mix." He noted that being a Ferrari customer team gives them "one problem less" to solve.
• Veteran line-up: The driver pairing boasts significant experience, with a combined 16 Grand Prix wins (10 for Bottas, 6 for Perez).
• The monumental task: Monaghan highlighted the scale of the challenge: "New car, new power units, new tyres, new electronics, the sustainable fuels — and then you are trying to build a team into that."

What's next:

• All eyes will be on Cadillac's operational progress as they build their infrastructure and team personnel ahead of their 2026 debut.
• The dynamic between Perez and Bottas will be a fascinating intra-team battle, as both drivers are eager to prove they are still top-tier competitors after spending 2025 on the sidelines.
• If Cadillac can effectively leverage its resources and the customer Ferrari power unit, they have a realistic chance of being a competitive midfield contender from the outset, potentially disrupting the pecking order.