Sergio Perez takes defiant stance after 'dream scenario' Red Bull exit

Sergio Perez has labelled the opportunity to take a year out from F1 a "dream scenario" upon reflection, having been relieved of his duties at Red Bull last winter.

Despite holding a contract for the 2025 campaign, the Mexican driver was put out to pasture by the Milton Keynes-based squad, with Liam Lawson initially preferred in the seat alongside Max Verstappen.

Following his season on the sidelines, Perez will return to a full-time drive next term, partnering Valtteri Bottas at Cadillac.

The fledgling American team is taking its first steps in F1, and the six-time grand prix winner was behind the wheel of the Ferrari SF-23 at Imola last week, as the General Motors-backed operation readies itself for its debut in 2026, when it will become the 11th team on the grid.

Looking back on the period after being axed by Red Bull, the 35-year-old revealed he quickly realised he missed F1 and still had something left in the tank.

"In the beginning, the first couple of months were great," he explained in an interview with Formula 1. "I realised that I missed [F1] because I kept following it. I kept waking up for the races.

"I could see what was happening – I was talking to friends that were in the paddock, and I realised that probably I missed it more than I thought.

"And then when the conversation started with Cadillac and we could see that passion for racing, then, yeah, I felt like I still have something left in me."

An unforeseen advantage

With the benefit of hindsight, Perez is thankful for the time spent away from F1, sharing that he is refreshed and ready to take on his next challenge.

"It feels great," the former Sauber, McLaren, Force India/Racing Point and Red Bull driver said. "Now that I look back, it was like a dream scenario, being able to take a year out and then get that refreshment.

"After 15 years or so in Formula 1 to get that refreshment and then have all the energy again for what I see as my final stint in the sport...

"I have all the energy now to get back to it, to work with the team, to push the team forwards in all areas, on the simulator. It's a new team, so we're starting basically from zero."