Sergio Perez announced that his return to Formula 1 with Cadillac has validated his belief that he remains capable of competing at the sport’s highest level.
A turbulent exit from Red Bull
After an 18‑month spell in which the Mexican driver struggled to escape a performance decline, Red Bull terminated Perez’s contract at the close of 2024. While teammate Max Verstappen secured a fourth drivers’ title in the challenging RB20, Perez’s confidence eroded amid growing friction with the team over strategy and car development.
The lack of results, Perez explained, “hurt your confidence,” and he left the organisation feeling detached from the success surrounding him.
Cadillac comeback and Imola test
Following a sabbatical, Perez joined the brand‑new Cadillac outfit for the 2026 season, sharing the garage with veteran Valtteri Bottas. Early outings were hampered by operational gremlins, yet the driver highlighted a decisive moment in November at Imola: after stepping into a Ferrari, he reached full speed within ten laps despite months of limited seat time.
He described the experience as proof that the underlying “speed has always been there,” and that the recent qualifying and race pace confirms his capability when supported by the right circumstances.
Confidence restored ahead of Monaco
Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, Perez emphasized that the combination of a fresh environment and tangible performance has restored his self‑belief. He noted that the current level of output demonstrates that his earlier struggles were largely team‑related, not a loss of talent.
“When you understand the circumstances I was in at that point, and see the performance I’m delivering with my team, you realise I’m still one of the best out there,” he declared.
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