Perez says Cadillac values his feedback more as new F1 chapter begins

March 13, 2026 Aksel Kryhlmand

A new project in Formula 1 is giving Sergio Perez a different perspective on life in the sport’s paddock.

The Mexican driver, who spent four seasons with Red Bull Racing alongside world champion Max Verstappen, says his early experience with Cadillac’s upcoming Formula 1 program already feels different from the final phase of his time with the championship-winning team.

Perez told Motorsport.com that the closing months of his Red Bull career were particularly challenging and left him needing time away from the sport.

“Definitely the last six months of my journey with Red Bull were tough in all areas. I really felt like I needed a break.”

Perez explained that some of the difficulties during that period were not visible to the public at the time but became clearer after he stepped away from the team.

“I could see things that for the outside were not visible. They became more visible after I left, of course. I had a great time also with Red Bull.”

Cadillac project offers Perez a different environment

Cadillac is preparing to build its presence in Formula 1 as a new team entering the global championship, which is widely considered the highest level of single-seater motorsport.

According to Motorsport.com, the American manufacturer is constructing its program around experienced drivers and long-term development as it prepares for its early seasons in the championship.

Perez said the environment around the new project has already been encouraging for him personally, particularly when it comes to how the team uses driver feedback during development.

“For me, it's just getting back and really enjoying my time with Cadillac. I'm really looking forward to this journey together. I think there are a lot of promises all around.”

The 34-year-old driver also said he feels his technical input is being taken seriously as the team works on shaping its early Formula 1 car.

“Definitely, I can see the way that the car is being developed and the way we're pushing forwards in the same direction, it obviously helps. And I feel that, definitely, obviously, my feedback is much more appreciated.”

Perez has long been regarded as one of Formula 1’s strongest drivers when it comes to managing tires and providing detailed feedback to engineers, skills that can be particularly valuable for teams building new cars.

Experienced drivers seen as key for Cadillac

Cadillac F1 team CEO Dan Towriss said the team deliberately sought experienced drivers to help guide the project through the inevitable challenges of entering Formula 1.

Towriss told Motorsport.com that Perez demonstrated the importance of experience during conversations with the team.

“Checo made that come alive in the interview, if you said, ‘What does experience mean?’”

He added that veteran drivers such as Perez and Valtteri Bottas can help a new organization manage the ups and downs that often come during a first season in Formula 1.

“And you really got to start to see we really do need someone experienced who can handle the ups and downs with being a first-year team.”

Both drivers have spent more than a decade competing at the top level of the sport, racing for multiple teams and scoring podium finishes across different eras of Formula 1 regulations.

Early challenges underline scale of the task

Building a competitive Formula 1 team is widely regarded as one of the most complex projects in global sport, involving hundreds of engineers, aerodynamic specialists and mechanics working together to design and operate a car capable of competing across a 24-race season.

According to Motorsport.com, Cadillac’s first competitive appearance in Melbourne highlighted the scale of that challenge.

The team’s cars were the slowest in qualifying for the event, and the race itself proved difficult. Valtteri Bottas retired early because of technical issues, while Perez finished 16th after falling three laps behind the leaders.

While the result showed how much work still lies ahead, the team believes the experience of its drivers will play a key role in shaping the project as development continues.

Sources: Motorsport.com