New Cadillac Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez feels a sense of vindication regarding his time at Red Bull, where he was Max Verstappen's teammate for four seasons.
Why it matters:
Perez's departure from Red Bull followed a period where he struggled to consistently match Verstappen, particularly as the car evolved to suit an oversteery preference that only Verstappen seemed to master. His recent comments suggest that the unique challenges of the Red Bull car made his longevity there a significant achievement.
The big picture:
Perez believes that the struggles of current and former Red Bull junior drivers – like Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, and most recently Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda – validate his own difficulties and elevate his status as Verstappen's most competitive teammate since Daniel Ricciardo in the 2010s.
Perez's perspective:
"It's just the whole dynamics of the team," Perez told Sky Sports, referring to the team's focus on Verstappen's unique talent and driving style. He elaborated on the Red Bull car's demanding nature:
- "It's a very unique car, very unique driving style that I managed, I'd say, to survive for many years."
- He noted the difficulties faced by others: "You've seen it with great drivers just before my time or even after my time. I think Yuki and Liam, they've scored like five points or something like that [seven points, actually]. So it is very, very difficult, very tricky."
- Perez highlighted his mental strength: "Mentally I was super strong and that's why I survived there for so long, because I did have a lot of pressure and a lot of you guys [journalists] were onto me. And now you realise the job I've done in that car and that team."
The Cadillac move and 2026 regulations:
Perez also revealed that Cadillac approached him in December 2024 for a potential 2026 F1 drive, once his Red Bull departure was clear. He expressed optimism for the future, especially with the upcoming rule changes.
Paddock stalwart Pat Symonds, now with Cadillac, suggested that the 2026 regulations – which he likens more to the 2021 car era than current ground-effect cars – will better suit drivers like Perez and Lewis Hamilton. Perez agrees, stating:
- "This era of cars that we're currently in with the ground-effect cars, it's been tricky."
- "I've done well in the previous eras, so I do expect that the new regulations will suit my style."