Sergio Perez is said to have concerns about Cadillac heading into their first Formula 1 season in 2026.
The American team has a big job ahead of them as they step onto the grid with an entirely new project. To guide them through their debut year, Cadillac opted for the experienced pairing of Perez and Valtteri Bottas.
But following pre-season testing, there’s a growing sense that Cadillac may be facing an uphill battle from the start, and Perez has voiced his unease about the situation.
The team managed to log a fair amount of mileage during testing, but it wasn’t without issues. Perez reportedly ran into several problems during the week, although Cadillac have been working around the clock to address them.
“It’s actually much more than I think any of us anticipated,” Buxton said on Monday night’s episode of
Why Sergio Perez has more reservations than Valtteri Bottas about Cadillac’s 2026 F1 entry
Perez and Bottas each spent the 2025 season away from the F1 grid. Perez took a complete break from the sport, while Bottas served as a reserve driver for Mercedes.
“No one is happier than Valtteri Bottas, I have to say. Valtteri is like this,” she explained via Formula Latina.
But according to journalist Julianne Cerasoli, no one seems happier right now than Bottas. The Finnish driver is thrilled to be back on the grid with F1’s newest team and feels good about how he fits into the new rules.
According to Cerasoli, though, there’s a noticeable difference in outlook between the two drivers.
“Checo seems a little more concerned to me, a little more realistic because it’s going to be a difficult season. But I think he has considered how he has signed with Cadillac, which would be much more difficult than it seems it’s going to be now.”
Cerasoli added: “So very good. Checo has so much experience, he’s a very good driver.”
David Coulthard has concerns about Sergio Perez ahead of 2026
Perez and Bottas are on the same page when it comes to the Cadillac car, both recognising there’s a long road ahead if they want to be competitive.
With their experience, the two drivers will be able to give valuable technical feedback, which could help Cadillac find some early improvements.
David Coulthard, though, believes Bottas is ‘better prepared’ for 2026 than Perez. Having stayed involved with Mercedes after losing his seat, Bottas has remained closer to the action and picked up useful information along the way.
Perez, in contrast, is returning after a year away from F1 and following a difficult spell with Red Bull. While Cadillac offers him a fresh start, there’s no hiding from the scale of the challenge he faces in 2026.
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