Sergio Perez and the heartbreak of a point that never was
It is difficult not to feel for Sergio Perez. In the chaotic streets of Monaco, the Cadillac driver was tantalizingly close to securing the team's first-ever Formula 1 point. He crossed the line in 11th, was promoted to 10th following a penalty for Nico Hulkenberg, and then had it all stripped away by the stewards. A post-race penalty for a start infringement—his front right wheel was deemed outside the grid box during the red flag restart—dropped him to 15th and last.
It is a brutal result on paper, but if you look at the performance, it is impossible to ignore the progress. Just a few months ago in Melbourne, the team was three laps off the pace. Now, they are finding ways to navigate the chaos of the midfield. Despite an earlier drive-through penalty, Perez managed to stay in the hunt, successfully passing Alonso and navigating the late-race incidents involving Hulkenberg, Sainz, and Colapinto.
Team Principal Graeme Lowdon was understandably proud, noting that Perez fought as if he were going for the win. The evidence of this growth is clear: Perez was only 1.5s off the pace in Q1 compared to a three-second gap back in Australia. While they are still chasing the likes of Aston Martin and Williams, Cadillac is undeniably moving in the right direction.
