Sergio Perez has openly discussed the challenges faced by the Cadillac Formula 1® Team during their debut season in 2026, highlighting a sense of disappointment over the team’s progress so far. Despite the high hopes surrounding Cadillac’s entry into the sport, recent races have exposed issues with reliability and a lack of the expected development gains.
Since their first appearance at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, Cadillac has struggled to find consistent pace, with their best race finish being 13th place, achieved by Valtteri Bottas in China. Perez acknowledged that the team has not improved as much as they had hoped, which has led to a thorough review of their operational and developmental processes. He also noted the rarity and value of being involved in building a team from the ground up, emphasizing his active role in contributing to the car’s development.
The team underwent a leadership change ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, with Marcin Budkowski replacing Graeme Lowdon as Team Principal. Perez expressed optimism about this new direction, believing that Budkowski’s experience could provide a positive influence. He stressed the importance of closing the performance gap to other teams to ensure a stronger start to the 2027 season.
Despite currently competing towards the back of the grid, Perez remains motivated by the opportunity to race at the highest level of motorsport alongside skilled engineers and experienced drivers like Bottas. He drew a comparison between Cadillac’s current situation and Aston Martin’s recent rapid progress, suggesting that similar improvement is achievable with the right approach.
Perez’s reflections underline the challenges new teams face in adapting to the demanding environment of Formula 1®. His involvement in the team’s development process and the recent management changes indicate a commitment to addressing the issues that have hindered Cadillac’s performance. The focus now is on learning from the initial setbacks and building a foundation that can support more competitive results in the future.
As the 2026 season continues, Cadillac’s efforts to enhance reliability and performance will be closely watched. Perez’s comments provide insight into the internal dynamics of a team still finding its footing in the championship, with cautious optimism about the potential for progress in the coming year.