The Mexican driver was replaced at the end of the 2024 campaign after a disappointing season alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen.<\/p>\n
Perez has secured a return to F1 for 2026 with the new Cadillac F1 team, which will make its debut at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March.<\/p>\n
The former Red Bull driver will be partnered by Valtteri Bottas, a 10-time race winner with the Mercedes team.<\/p>\n
![\"Cadillac](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Driver-H2H-410x424.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Perez\u2019s final season at Red Bull played out against the backdrop of allegations against Horner, who was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a Red Bull employee.<\/p>\n
Horner, who has always denied the claims, was twice cleared of wrongdoing.<\/p>\n
Appearing on the Cracks podcast, Perez has claimed that his own lack of performance proved to be a \u201cbig distraction\u201d at Red Bull in 2024 as \u201cno one talked about anything but me.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThere was also so much pressure that year.<\/p>\n
\u201cChristian had some issues, so it was also a bit that I was the distraction.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was the big distraction. No one talked about anything but me, my performance, how badly I was doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sergio Perez returns with Cadillac in F1 2026 season<\/p>\n
F1 driver contracts: What is the contract status of every driver on the F1 2026 grid?<\/a><\/p>\n A five-step guide to being the ideal F1 wingman: Lessons from Perez, Bottas, more<\/a><\/p>\n Perez\u2019s comments come after PlanetF1.com revealed on Thursday that Horner<\/a>, who was sacked by Red Bull in July last year following a muted start to the 2025 season, is facing a stumbling block in his plans to return to F1 in 2026.<\/p>\n As reported at the time by PlanetF1.com<\/a>, Horner reached a\u00a0$100million (\u00a374.2m\/\u20ac85.1m) settlement in September 2025, clearing the path for the 52-year-old to launch an F1 comeback at some stage in 2026.<\/p>\n Having been linked with a role at Aston Martin in the closing weeks of last season, the Alpine team has emerged as Horner\u2019s most likely route for an F1 return over recent weeks.<\/p>\n Horner is thought to have secured sufficient funding to acquire Otro Capital\u2019s 24 per cent stake in the Enstone-based team.<\/p>\n However, Alpine company documents obtained by PlanetF1.com reveal that Otro\u2019s ability to sell its slice is govered by a time constraint on its part, and requires the approval of Renault.<\/p>\n It is thought, however, that a claw-back option might exist that could expedite that ahead of what would otherwise be a September 13 sale date (at the earliest).<\/p>\n While a return with Alpine is thought to be the most likely avenue for Horner, it is not the only option available to the 52-year-old, who will be free to return to F1 in the coming months.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n