At the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season, Sergio Pérez finds himself under fire from critics. Following Mario Andretti’s remarks about a “somewhat rusty” driver duo, the Mexican responds confidently, stating that he and his teammate Valtteri Bottas are doing their best with a car still in its early stages.
Cadillac enters F1 with a promising duo
For its first foray into Formula 1, Cadillac has made the bold choice of an experienced duo, with Sergio Pérez, a former Red Bull driver, and Valtteri Bottas, previously contracted with Sauber. This strategic choice aimed to ensure a smooth transition in a championship where every detail matters.
However, entering the world of motorsport is often fraught with challenges, especially for a team that is completely new to the discipline. Cadillac’s debut in the world championship has proven difficult, with lacklustre performances and recurring reliability issues. As a result, so far, the drivers have failed to score a single point in the Sunday races.
Performance below expectations
Currently, Cadillac is showing a gap of two to three seconds compared to the best times. A situation that may seem disastrous, but still allows the team to outpace the chaotic project of Aston Martin-Honda. This comparison highlights the scale of the challenge Cadillac faces to establish itself among the top teams.
Andretti highlights weaknesses
Mario Andretti, a living legend of motorsport and 1978 world champion, did not hesitate to criticise the driver duo during an interview on the Drive to Wynn podcast. He stated: “To be honest with you, I think they are both a little bit rusty,” referring to their prolonged absence from the circuit before this season.
Andretti also points out that Pérez and Bottas are careful to avoid unnecessary risks. “They have both been away from the cockpit for at least a season. Given the new package and everything else, they are very careful just to participate and not compromise the efforts by perhaps taking the risk of creating more work than necessary.”
Mario Andretti in the Cadillac pit.
Pérez responds with determination
In response to Andretti’s criticisms, Sergio Pérez has shown resilience. Before the weekend in Suzuka, he stated: “To be honest, I think we are performing very well.” Indeed, he expressed satisfaction with his performance at the Australian Grand Prix and feels confident about his qualifying.
However, the races have not been without their challenges. “In the race, we faced very different situations, we suffered a lot of damage.” In Shanghai, he even had to deal with significant damage after a collision with Bottas. Despite these difficulties, he is determined to regain his rhythm behind the wheel.
Noticeable progress after the Japanese Grand Prix
His positivity was bolstered by his performance at the Japanese Grand Prix, where he finished within the winner’s lap for the first time this year. With a gap reduced to 2.1 seconds from the best time during qualifying, he demonstrates an evolution compared to previous races where the gap was over three seconds.
Sergio Pérez (Cadillac)
Clear ambitions for the future
Pérez has also observed the other teams. “It was quite interesting. When I was following Williams or Alpine, I could see they weren’t very far off.” He emphasises the need for Cadillac to find an extra second to compete with the midfield. “I really hope we will bring a significant evolution for Miami.”
For him, the key lies in continuous progress: “I think we have improved at every Grand Prix.” The challenge remains immense for Cadillac, but every small advancement counts in the ruthless world of Formula 1.
In summary
- Sergio Pérez defends Cadillac’s performance despite the criticisms.
- The driver duo faces a challenging debut in F1.
- Mario Andretti mentions a “rusty” form of the drivers after a long break.
- Pérez remains confident after notable improvements at the Japanese GP.
- The team aims for significant progress in the upcoming races.
