(Motorsport-Total.com) – Sergio Perez would almost give his Formula 1 comeback at Cadillac a perfect score. The Mexican returned to Formula 1 with the newcomer in 2026 after taking a year off, having been dropped by Red Bull at the end of 2024 due to lack of performance.
Read more Norris fifth different winner in a row: When has that ever happened?
At Cadillac, Perez helps with his experience in the development, even though he has not yet scored a single season point. Nevertheless, he is satisfied with his performance. When asked to assess his performance, he replies: “It’s hard to put a number on it.”
“Of course, there are things I could have done better, so I definitely wouldn’t give a 10, but I think it’s close,” says the Mexican. “I am very satisfied with my performance since I returned.” Incidentally, the editors gave Perez an average score of 3.82.
Budapest: Driver ratings from Marc Surer and the editors
He had his teammate Valtteri Bottas, who also spent a year on the sidelines, mostly under control throughout the season. Recently, however, the Finn improved and won three qualifying duels in a row, so the score from Perez’s perspective is now “only” 6:5.
Race duels were dominated by retirements, but when both finished, Perez usually had the edge.
Read more P5 in danger: Alpine relies on «significant upgrade» in Zandvoort
“At first, I had some doubts about my return to the sport, but when I came back, I was really happy because I managed to prove to myself that I still belong to the best out there,” says the Cadillac driver.
| Grand Prix | Perez (Q) | Bottas (Q) | Perez (R) | Bottas (R) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 6 | 3 | |
| Australia | 18th | 19th (+0.639) | 16th | Retirement |
| China | 22nd (+1.470) | 20th | 15th (+18.5) | 13th |
| Japan | 19th | 20th (+0.124) | 17th | 19th (+1 lap) |
| Miami | 20th (+0.338) | 19th | 16th | 18th (+1 lap) |
| Canada | 20th | 22nd (+0.843) | Retirement | 16th |
| Monaco | 18th | 20th (+0.536) | 15th | Retirement |
| Barcelona | 19th | 20th (+0.212) | 14th | Retirement |
| Austria | 19th | 20th (+0.085) | Retirement | Retirement |
| Great Britain | 20th (+0.224) | 18th | 14th | 16th (+0.8) |
| Belgium | 20th (+0.148) | 19th | Retirement | 18th |
| Hungary | 22nd (+0.436) | 21st | Retirement | Retirement |
“In the right environment, I can perform at a very high level, and I think I have proven that to myself. My race pace was really strong, just like my qualifying pace. It got better and better, and I am very satisfied.”
The veteran describes the biggest challenge as getting back into the rhythm of the Formula 1 calendar. “At first, I did a test and then got the message that I had to be in another country two days later, and two days after that in another one,” he explains.
“When you get used to that again, you tend to forget what a Formula 1 driver’s life looks like – how stressful and scheduled everything is and that you live completely by the calendar.”
Read more How late Honda really realized the extent of its problems