Perez on why there has been ‘disappointment’ at Cadillac

Sergio Perez has described Cadillac’s Formula 1 campaign as disappointing so far, citing reliability problems and a lack of progress despite their debut at the Australian Grand Prix. The Mexican driver, who joined the team in its early stages, admitted the squad has not improved as expected, prompting a review of their processes. He emphasized the importance of addressing multiple areas to close the performance gap, noting that even small gains could significantly alter their competitiveness.

Perez expressed optimism about Cadillac’s future, particularly with the recent appointment of Team Principal Marcin Budkowski, who replaced Graeme Lowdon before the Dutch Grand Prix. He believes Budkowski’s leadership could drive operational improvements, including pit stops, strategy, and tire management. The driver stressed that Cadillac, now in their 10th or 11th race, still has much to learn and improve before the 2027 season.

The driver compared his experience at Cadillac to his time at Red Bull, where he raced at the front of the field. Despite competing near the back, Perez remains motivated by the challenge of working with top engineers and competing against elite drivers like teammate Valtteri Bottas. He noted that the technical discussions and development efforts remain consistent regardless of position on the grid.

Perez also reflected on the rapid progress of teams like Aston Martin, which surged from midfield to front-runners in a short period. He dismissed concerns that racing at the back would diminish his motivation, stating that the competitive environment and technical collaboration in Formula 1 remain equally engaging. The driver’s comments were made during an appearance on the official F1 podcast, Beyond The Grid.