Sergio Pérez says he feels “much more appreciated” at Cadillac and that his car-development feedback is “much more appreciated” than it was at Red Bull, a shift he credits with restoring his enjoyment and confidence as he returns to Formula 1 for the 2026 season. The 36‑year‑old—described in sources as a multiple Grand Prix winner (reports variously list five wins between 2021–2024 and one source calls him a six‑time winner)—joined Cadillac alongside Valtteri Bottas for the American team’s debut campaign, and he said his year away gave him perspective. Pérez added he intends to treat his 15th season “as if it was karting,” and has emphasized enjoyment as a route to better performance.

Pérez has pointed to a more collaborative environment at Cadillac, saying he can already see the car being developed in the same unified direction he has requested and that his feedback is better received than during his difficult final year at Red Bull. He was released by Red Bull at the end of 2024 after a dip in form and an inability to match teammate Max Verstappen; Pérez said the weight of expectations and reminders of failure at Red Bull had drained his enjoyment. Broadly, commentators noted he looked refreshed and confident during pre‑season testing in Bahrain, and former driver Anthony Davidson said Pérez appears “happier at Cadillac than at any point during his time at Red Bull.”

Caveats remain: Cadillac is widely expected to start 2026 with one of the slower cars on the grid and observers after testing judged the new project may struggle toward the back, with some reports saying Pérez appeared more visibly worried than Bottas about the team’s prospects. Cadillac has signaled a short‑term priority of steady progress—beginning with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne—focused on assembling departments and out‑developing established teams rather than chasing immediate results, and the drivers’ experience is expected to be relied upon to help the debut season. These impressions are drawn from post‑testing reports rather than definitive performance data, and fans will be watching whether Pérez’s apparent uplift in confidence and his greater collaborative role at Cadillac translate into on‑track results.

Sources