(Motorsport-Total.com) – Former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez returns to Formula 1 in 2026 with Cadillac. After a one-year break, the Mexican must not only get used to his new team, but above all to the changed framework conditions of the premier class.
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“It’s definitely very different, this Formula 1,” Perez says, referring to the new regulations, which bring numerous innovations. “It feels extremely different from what I’m used to. Yes, I would say it’s the biggest rule change of my career.”
“It’s very difficult to understand everything that’s happening with the energy and the energy deployment. It’s all enormously complicated,” reveals the 36-year-old after the test drives in Barcelona and Bahrain. “The power unit plays a much bigger role than before, which is not ideal.”
In contrast to former teammate Max Verstappen, who sharply criticized the new rules, Perez remains cautious for now. “I’m excited to see how the races are, because for me, racing is the most important thing. At the moment, I just don’t know yet how the races will play out.”
“It could become similar to Formula E”
The Mexican assumes that overtaking maneuvers could even become “a bit trickier” in the future, and that driving with energy management is “more difficult” than before. “I don’t want to jump to conclusions now, but it could become similar to Formula E,” says Perez. “Let’s just wait and see.”
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At the start of the season, the Cadillac driver expects “chaotic” conditions. “Especially in the first races, when everyone has to get used to their power units and their management, when you can use the overtake button, how much energy you consume in the process – all of that is very tricky.”
Perez also dismisses the criticism that they are significantly slower in some corners than before. “Every power unit, every gearbox is different,” he emphasizes. “Some drivers drive with very low gears, others can’t manage it or have a different method of using the energy optimally.”
“I think we are just getting into the subject matter regarding engines and energy.” Therefore, it is still “too early for a final assessment,” explains Perez. “We are all facing this challenge and currently have to adapt to the new regulations.”
Read more «Definitely very different»: How Sergio Perez evaluates the new Formula 1 rules