Max Verstappen has openly backed his former teammate Sergio Perez as a valuable asset for any new team entering the Formula 1 grid. The four-time world champion, who shared the Red Bull Racing garage with the Mexican driver for four consecutive seasons, believes Perez is a strong and experienced option—particularly for a team preparing to make its debut in the top tier of motorsport.
The most evident reference here is to the upcoming Cadillac Formula 1 team, which is expected to officially join the grid in 2026, coinciding with the introduction of the sport’s all-new power unit regulations. While the American manufacturer has confirmed its participation, it has yet to announce its official driver lineup for its inaugural season. However, the name of Sergio Perez continues to circulate persistently within paddock discussions as a top candidate to lead the new project.
During the 2025 British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone, Max Verstappen spoke to media outlet PlanetF1.com and expressed his admiration for Perez’s capabilities, despite acknowledging the ups and downs the Mexican has faced in recent years at Red Bull Racing.
“Checo has always been very strong,” Verstappen said when asked about his former teammate’s prospects. “Of course, he’s had some tough moments with us at Red Bull, but as long as he stays motivated to keep racing, I think he’s an excellent choice—especially for a new team starting in Formula 1.”
Max Verstappen then highlighted Perez’s past achievements in the sport, noting the consistency and performance he displayed at his previous teams. “If you look back at what he did with Force India and Racing Point,” the Dutchman added, “you’ll see that he always managed to score good points.”
Cadillac and 2026: the context behind Verstappen’s comments
The potential partnership between Sergio Perez and Cadillac has become one of the most discussed topics in recent weeks as Formula 1 prepares to welcome a new manufacturer into the championship. Cadillac, backed by General Motors, is joining forces with Andretti Global in a bid to bring an American team to the grid in 2026. With their entry now formally approved, the focus has shifted to selecting an experienced and reliable driver lineup to lead the ambitious project.
In this context, Max Verstappen’s endorsement of Sergio Perez carries considerable weight. As someone who has shared four full seasons with Perez at Red Bull—during which the duo helped secure multiple Constructors’ Championships—the Dutch driver has firsthand knowledge of Perez’s adaptability, racecraft, and ability to perform under pressure. His comment that Perez is “a great choice, especially for a new team,” strongly suggests that the Mexican driver’s experience and technical feedback could be invaluable in helping a team like Cadillac accelerate its learning curve during its initial seasons.
Although Sergio Perez’s recent seasons with Red Bull have included both highs and lows—ranging from race wins to inconsistency in qualifying—the respect he commands within the paddock remains strong. He is widely recognized as one of the most experienced drivers on the current grid, with over 250 Grand Prix starts and a victory in a midfield car prior to joining Red Bull.
If the rumors come true and Cadillac secures Sergio Perez’s services for 2026, the team would benefit not only from a proven race winner but also from a driver capable of guiding engineers, shaping car development, and mentoring younger talent. Verstappen’s comments reflect a broader sentiment within the F1 world—that Perez’s maturity, professionalism, and depth of experience make him an ideal candidate for a team building its foundation from scratch.
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