Sergio Perez reflects on his standing in Formula 1
It is not often you hear a driver be so blunt about their own capability, but Sergio Perez has been clear. Heading into the Monaco Grand Prix, the 36-year-old clarified his recent claim that he remains one of the best on the grid. For Perez, it comes down to a simple reality: talent is only as good as the circumstances surrounding it.
After a difficult 2025 on the sidelines following his departure from Red Bull, where he failed to secure a single podium in 19 races, Perez is back in the mix. During his four-year stint with Red Bull, he did manage five Grand Prix wins and a runner-up finish in the 2023 Drivers' Championship alongside Max Verstappen, but he admits that his final six months there did not reflect his true level. He insists that his current performance with Cadillac proves his worth to those who truly understand how to measure it.
Things have been a grind since joining Cadillac. In Montreal, a promising P11 finish in the Sprint was wiped out by a 10-second penalty that dropped him to P14, and his Grand Prix ended early due to a suspension failure. Still, the mood in the team is one of optimism. Perez views the tight streets of Monte Carlo as their biggest chance yet to climb the order, provided they can nail their operational execution starting this Friday.
