Sergio Perez is approaching the latest chapter of his Formula 1 career with a different mindset. After being dropped by Red Bull at the end of 2024, the Mexican spent a year away from the grid before returning with Cadillac for its debut campaign.
Key Takeaways from "Checo"
- Sergio Perez believes he may have around three more years left in Formula 1.
- The Mexican is focused on helping Cadillac develop its new F1 team from the ground up.
- Perez says he feels like “more than a driver”, with the team listening to his input on development.
- He believes retirement will depend more on his motivation and competitive drive than his age.
Perez Embraces Cadillac's New F1 Challenge
Perez endured a difficult final season with Red Bull, finishing just eighth in the 2024 Drivers' Championship after managing only four podium finishes. His struggles followed a brighter start to 2023, when he ultimately finished second in the championship despite his form declining as the season progressed.
Now, alongside experienced team-mate Valtteri Bottas, Perez is using his experience at top-level teams to help Cadillac develop from the ground up.
Speaking on the F1 Beyond the Grid podcast, Perez explained that he sees himself as more than just a driver within the new project. “I really feel like this is a project. And I really feel like I'm part of this project of this new era, like building something from scratch.”
While Perez still wants to compete at the front and fight for championships, the opportunity to help create a new team has given him fresh motivation. “It's like building a team from scratch and starting basically from last to see how far we can go together.”
Why Cadillac Means More Than Just Racing
Perez believes his role with Cadillac is different from what many drivers experience during their careers. The Mexican says the team listens closely to his feedback on development and other areas, allowing him to have an influence on the direction of the project beyond his performance behind the wheel.
“At the same time, they listen a lot to me on different things, on development and stuff,” Perez said.
For a driver with experience at several top-level teams, that responsibility represents a unique opportunity. Rather than simply joining an established operation and focusing solely on results, Perez is helping shape a team that is starting its Formula 1 journey from scratch.
Perez Explains When He Will Know It's Time to Retire
Despite his enthusiasm for the Cadillac F1 project, Perez admits that his Formula 1 career will eventually come to an end. However, he does not believe there is a specific age at which a driver should retire. Instead, he says the biggest warning sign will be a decline in his motivation and desire to improve.
Perez explained that when a driver begins thinking less about their car, engineers and ways to become faster, it can be the first indication that their competitive drive is fading. “I think it's the engine inside you. It's the will, and you see it from the outside, when you're not in the car, how much you're thinking on your engineers, on your car.”
He also pointed to Fernando Alonso as an example of a driver who continues to maintain an exceptionally strong competitive drive despite his age. Perez believes every driver is different, meaning there is no universal age at which someone should stop competing in Formula 1.
Three More Years? Perez Sets His Own Timeline
For now, Perez remains motivated by the challenge ahead. He believes the Cadillac project needs time to develop and wants to be part of that journey.
That could mean around three more years in Formula 1 before he decides to move on. “It's hard to tell you a number. Obviously, I don't have much in it. Say, maybe three years more. I want to see this project moving forward. I think that requires a bit more time.”
Perez also made it clear that his ambitions extend beyond Formula 1. While he has huge respect for what Alonso has achieved and the motivation that has kept him competing at a high level, Perez does not expect to follow the same path. “But for me, it wouldn't be that long because I want to do other things out of Formula 1.”
A New Chapter for Sergio Perez
Perez's return to Formula 1 with Cadillac is therefore about more than simply extending his racing career. The Mexican has found a new challenge in helping build a team from the ground up, using his experience to influence its development and direction.
With potentially three more years ahead of him, Perez appears determined to make the most of this opportunity before eventually closing the door on Formula 1 and exploring what comes next.
