'Red Bull Racing Exit Left Me Drained': Sergio Perez Eyes Redemption With Cadillac In 2026

Last Updated:November 17, 2025, 21:41 IST

Sergio Perez returns to Formula 1 with Cadillac in 2026, reignited after a tough Red Bull exit and a year off, aiming to lead the new team to success in his final project.

Sergio Perez during his Red Bull Racing days (AP)

Sergio Perez is officially back: refreshed, recharged, and headed to the Formula 1 grid with Cadillac in 2026 after a rare year on the sidelines.

And for the first time in a long time, the Mexican star says he’s rediscovered something far more valuable than a contract: his passion.

Just 18 months ago, Perez was flying high. He’d finished 2023 as runner-up in the championship, the best season of his career, helping Red Bull seal another Constructors’ title.

Early in 2024, he even signed a new deal extending his Red Bull stint to six years.

Then the bottom fell out.

Perez’s form collapsed dramatically, returning only nine points across the final eight Grands Prix. By season’s end, both sides agreed to part ways, despite two years still left on his contract.

The exit stung, but the downtime changed everything for the Mexican.

“I didn’t feel at the time that I needed the break," Perez told me at Cadillac’s Silverstone base during his first seat fit.

“In the sport you’re always thinking about your next year, your next race, your next contract. You’re in automatic mode. But once you’re forced to step out of it, you realise a lot of things."

Has he fallen back in love with F1?

“Yeah, definitely," he said with a grin. “My last six months at Red Bull were very difficult. I started to have a bit of demotivation — and I cannot let that happen. The day I leave the sport, I want to leave it with a big smile."

After some reflection, Perez realised he wasn’t done with F1. Talks followed — and Cadillac quickly emerged as the standout opportunity. A new team. A clean slate. A proper long-term project for what he calls his “final hurrah."

“It feels great," said Perez. “After 15 years in Formula 1, getting that refreshment and then having all the energy again… It’s like a dream. We’re starting from zero, but I want to push the team forward from day one."

He’s realistic about the challenge, but optimistic about the trajectory.

“It’s irrelevant where we start. What matters is how quickly we progress. I think we’ll surprise a lot of people."

For Perez, this is the last dance, and he’s determined to finish on his own terms.

“I see this as my big final project. I want to make it a successful comeback."

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

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News sports 'Red Bull Racing Exit Left Me Drained': Sergio Perez Eyes Redemption With Cadillac In 2026

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