Sergio Perez defiant over Red Bull F1 axe: 'I have nothing to prove'

Sergio Perez is adamant he does not have "anything to prove" in F1 - a resolve only strengthened by the relative struggles of the two drivers who have replaced him at Red Bull. The Mexican driver is set for an F1 return in 2026, partnering Valtteri Bottas at the new Cadillac entry in a line-up built on vast experience. For Perez, it marks a comeback after a year on the sidelines following a difficult 2024 season that saw him exit Red Bull. Since his departure, the challenge of being Max Verstappen's team-mate has not diminished. Liam Lawson’s tenure in the seat lasted just two races, while his replacement, Yuki Tsunoda, has struggled to make an impact, scoring only a handful of points. For Perez, the ongoing difficulties in the second Red Bull serve as proof of the unique pressures he faced and vindication for his performances. "Well, I don't feel like there's anything to prove," Perez told media, including RacingNews365 . "Not just because of the current drivers or the next drivers that were in my [Red Bull] seat, but even before that. "Now everyone forgets about it, but it's been in a very tricky place to be in, to constantly be adapting, to build confidence, mentally, it's a very unique challenge. "And yeah, I don't think I have anything to prove. When you say the amount of points that they've scored is like five [seven] points in the entire season. So I don't think I've got anything to prove in that regard."

A different kind of comeback

While his comments suggest a sense of justification regarding his Red Bull tenure, Perez insists his return with Cadillac is driven by a different motivation altogether. He is not coming back to settle old scores, but to rediscover his passion for the championship on his own terms. The move to a new project with Cadillac offers a fresh start, away from the intense scrutiny of fighting at the very front of the grid from day one. "To me, it's more of a coming back to enjoy the sport, I want to enjoy the sport, the sport that I love, the sport that has given me so much," he explained. "I couldn't afford to leave the way I left the sport, and this is why I'm coming back with this new project, and I hope it's a very successful one. But amongst that, other than anything, I want to enjoy this comeback."