Perez says Cadillac comeback proves he remains a top-tier F1 driver

Sergio Perez says his early performances with Cadillac in 2026 have restored his belief that he remains a top-tier Formula 1 driver. After an 18-month spiral led to his 2024 Red Bull exit, the 36-year-old insists his struggles were driven by circumstances within the team rather than any genuine loss of speed.

Why it matters:

Perez's public rebuild of confidence challenges the easy narrative that he simply lost his edge at Red Bull. His experience is a stark reminder that F1 performance is deeply contextual—even proven race winners can falter when team pressure, internal friction, and lopsided support weigh heavily on one side of the garage.

The details:

• Red Bull dropped Perez after 18 months of decline as Max Verstappen clinched the 2024 title in the tricky RB20, while Perez grew increasingly at odds with his own team.
• Following a sabbatical in 2025, he joined newcomer Cadillac alongside fellow veteran Valtteri Bottas, though early operational gremlins have made it tough to read the true pace of either driver.
• Perez traces his turning point to a Ferrari test at Imola last November, where he says he was up to speed within 10 laps despite months away from the cockpit.
• He claims his side of the Red Bull garage faced unsustainable pressure that steadily eroded his confidence, but feels his current qualifying and race efforts confirm "the speed has always been there."

What's next:

Cadillac is still finding its feet as a new F1 constructor, so Perez's restored confidence and experience will be crucial as the team moves past early teething issues. Sustained form could allow him to fully rehabilitate his reputation while anchoring the American outfit's long-term growth.