Cadillac Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez believes his feedback on car development is “much more appreciated” than it ever was during his Red Bull stint.
The six-time F1 race winner makes his return to the series this year, after sitting out the 2025 campaign following a difficult final season with Red Bull.
Over the winter, Sergio Perez opened up about the difficulties of his time with Red Bull, noting that being Max Verstappen’s team-mate was the “best and worst job in the world”.
Linking up with Cadillac for its debut season in F1 in 2026, Perez spoke on Thursday ahead of the Australian Grand Prix about his contribution to the project compared to at Red Bull.
“Yeah, definitely,” he replied when asked if his feedback holds greater value to Cadillac than it did at Red Bull.
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“I think so. I think I could definitely see the way that the car is being developed and the way we are pushing forward in the same direction; it always helps.
“I feel that definitely my feedback is much more appreciated.”
Perez wants to enjoy F1 return ‘as if it was karting’
At 36 years old, Perez has been brought in by Cadillac alongside Valtteri Bottas to bolster its experienced line-up and help develop the new car.
As such, his objectives for his 15th season in F1 have changed, with Perez now looking to “enjoy” racing again “as if it was karting”.
“I really felt like my year out gave me a very different perspective of the sport,” he said.
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“When you’re in from a very young age into this bubble, you kind of worry a lot about small details that are totally irrelevant for the people out there.
“So, for me, the main priority is to enjoy it again as if it was karting.
“This is the way I see it.
“My main priority for me is to enjoy it and give it my best, because if I’m able to enjoy I will be able to perform at my best.
“And, ultimately, that’s the only thing that really matters at this point of my career.”
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On Cadillac’s hopes for the start of the new season in Australia, Perez added: “I think for us, really, at this stage it’s all about the progress we’re able to make, getting all the puzzle together, getting different comments, getting to work together, being able to develop.
“From what we’ve seen in Bahrain, I think we have to outdevelop all of the teams that have been in the sport for years.
“It’s not going to be an easy task for Cadillac, but for us I think it’s all about the progress we can make from here and getting all of the different departments in place.
“That will be the main objective for us.”
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