Sergio Perez Warns Cadillac of Being Left Behind as Aston Martin Finds Form

Sergio Perez has warned Cadillac that they risk being left behind as Aston Martin appears to have made a breakthrough performance step in Miami. Despite no new upgrades, the Honda-powered team showed improved pace in the Sprint and qualifying, with Fernando Alonso finishing ahead of Perez and out-qualifying both Cadillacs for the grand prix. Perez battled Alonso throughout the race, eventually finishing 15th, and now calls for urgent improvement across all areas.

Why it matters:

Cadillac had established itself in 10th place in the early season as Aston Martin struggled with vibrations and lack of performance. Now that Honda believes it has found countermeasures for those issues, Aston is unlocking its potential. If Cadillac does not respond quickly, they risk slipping further down the midfield order and losing ground to a resurgent rival.

The Details:

• Aston's Miami Performance: Without any new parts, Aston Martin showed clear improvement in Miami. Alonso was ahead of Perez in the Sprint and in qualifying, marking the first time this season both Astons out-qualified both Cadillacs for a grand prix.
• Honda's Solution: The power unit supplier believes its countermeasures for the vibrations have worked, allowing the team to now focus on adding performance. This could signal a turnaround for Aston Martin after a difficult start.
• Perez's Race Battle: The Mexican veteran engaged in a long duel with Alonso. Perez praised Alonso as "very aggressive, but very fair." He noted that when tire degradation sets in, Cadillac can hang with the midfield, but Aston is able to pick up the pace significantly.
• Call for Improvement: Perez emphasized that while the team is heading in the right direction, they are in a "massive hurry to find performance" because Aston will continue to improve. He highlighted a strong pit stop in the race as evidence of capability but stressed the need for consistency across all departments.

What's Next:

Cadillac must accelerate its development to avoid being left behind. With Aston now a renewed threat, the competition for midfield positions is intensifying. Perez's warning underscores that the team cannot afford to be complacent if they want to hold their ground.