Sergio Perez fires Red Bull criticism in open reflection

Sergio Perez has entered this weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix by criticising Red Bull, insisting that his technical feedback is appreciated more at Cadillac.

The Mexican driver returns to F1 this season with the new American outfit after a year out of the sport in 2025 following his departure from Red Bull.

After a difficult 2024 campaign, the 36-year-old and Red Bull mutually parted ways, although both Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda's lack of performance alongside Max Verstappen highlighted just what Perez was up against.

Perez insists he needed time away from the sport after his dramatic downward spiral next to Verstappen, but the fresh Cadillac project has given him the motivation to return.

"Obviously, I think the last six months of my journey with Red Bull were tough in all areas, and I really felt like I needed a break," Perez told select media, including RacingNews365.

"I could see things that, from the outside, were not visible. They became more visible after I left, of course. For me, I also had a great time with Red Bull.

"And for me, getting back [to F1], I'm really enjoying my time with Cadillac, and I'm really looking forward to this journey together.

"I think there are a lot of promises all around. It's a long project, a long shot, but I believe that this can be something very successful, and being part of something new gives me that motivation."

Cadillac appreciating Perez feedback

For its maiden year in F1, Cadillac has opted for an incredibly experienced driver pairing in Perez and Valtteri Bottas, who is the same age.

The idea behind it is that their vast experience will enable Cadillac to make significant strides through their technical feedback—something Perez already feels has been more appreciated than it was at Red Bull.

Asked if his feedback feels more appreciated than it was at Red Bull, Perez replied: "Yeah, definitely, I think so.

"I definitely feel that the way the car is being developed, and the way we're pushing forward in the same direction, obviously helps.

"And I definitely feel that my feedback is much more appreciated."