Max Verstappen has rejected the idea that Sergio Perez has a point to prove after signing with Cadillac for the 2026 F1 season.
The Mexican driver left Red Bull at the end of last season with his reputation in ruins after a dismal run alongside the four-time F1 drivers' champion.
Whilst his tenure at the Milton Keynes-based squad started well, Perez's performances waned and he was relieved of his duties, despite being contracted to the team for this current campaign.
However, although he has spent the year on the sidelines, his stock has risen again, in large part due to the relative struggles of the two drivers who have replaced him at Red Bull.
Liam Lawson went scoreless in his two rounds partnering Verstappen, and Yuki Tsunoda has scored just seven points in the RB21 over the subsequent 12 events.
Ahead of his home grand prix, Verstappen was asked about his former team-mate, in which he expressed belief that Perez would not "dwell" on the past.
"It's a fresh start now," the Dutchman told media, including RacingNews365. "I think also from his side, it's not about... I mean, just one half of, or a season, doesn't define what you can do, right?
"I think he's also quite easy in that, some people maybe dwell on it a bit more. I think for Checo [Sergio Perez], it's a new start - you're excited, new cars, completely new cars, also.
"And he has shown a lot of great things even before he got to Red Bull, during the Red Bull time. So, yeah, just need to go in there, enjoy it again and have a good time."
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Perez performance contingent upon car - Verstappen
Perez had previously revealed that Verstappen was the first driver to reach out to him upon confirmation that he had joined Cadillac.
The six-time grand prix winner will join Valtteri Bottas at the American team for its debut campaign, but Verstappen believes Perez's success will largely depend on the car he is provided.
"Yeah, when I saw the news come out, I sent a message to him," the 27-year-old explained. "So I'm, of course, very happy for him that he got a seat.
"He's a great guy, and we've always got along very well. So I'm happy to see him back on the grid.
"How he's going to perform, I think, will also depend on how good the car is going to be, right? So it's a bit difficult to say at the moment.
"But yeah, it's a new opportunity, and I'm sure he's very excited for it."
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