Sergio Pérez's F1 Journey: From Red Bull Exit to Cadillac Comeback Sergio "Checo" Pérez, the Mexican F1 star, parted ways with Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season after four challenging years as Max Verstappen's teammate. His departure came amid performance struggles, team instability, and high expectations that ultimately proved too much, marking a dramatic shift in his career. Now, as of early 2026, he's set for a fresh start with the new Cadillac F1 team, signaling resilience in a sport that rarely offers second chances.

The Red Bull Era Unravels

Pérez joined Red Bull in 2021, delivering standout wins like Baku and key support in the 2021 title fight, which earned him a multi-year extension. However, 2024 became his breaking point: despite an initial contract renewal, poor qualifying results, crashes, and a points gap to Verstappen led to his mid-season doubts and eventual release on December 18, 2024.

Key factors in his Red Bull exit:

  • Performance pressure : Pérez scored podiums early but slid with errors, like costly qualifying mishaps, prompting team bosses Helmut Marko and Christian Horner to explore options.
  • Team turmoil : He later reflected that Red Bull's dominance eroded with Adrian Newey's 2024 exit and Jonathan Wheatley's departure, calling it "the best and worst job in F1" as Verstappen's wingman.
  • Replacement shuffle : Red Bull first picked Liam Lawson for 2025, but demoted the young Kiwi after two races, highlighting the seat's volatility.

"We had the best team... Unfortunately everything fell apart." – Pérez on Red Bull's decline.

Forum Buzz and Fan Takes

Online discussions exploded post-exit, with Reddit's r/F1Discussions debating Pérez's recent interviews. Some fans argue the team "sabotaged" him by prioritizing Verstappen, while others see his inconsistency as the real issue—classic F1 polarization. Forums like FORUMula1.com keep the "Pérez 11 Support" thread alive, mixing sympathy with memes about his qualifying woes.

2026 Revival with Cadillac

Fast-forward to March 2026: Pérez is confirmed with Cadillac's debut F1 entry, partnering Valtteri Bottas on a multi-year deal. Recent talks revealed he's eyeing a grid return after a 2025 hiatus, with sources calling it a "high note" finish to his career. This move aligns with Cadillac's American push into F1, leveraging Pérez's experience and fanbase.

TL;DR : Pérez left Red Bull after 2024 struggles and team changes but rebounds with Cadillac in 2026 alongside Bottas—proving F1's grid is ever- turning.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.