There are moments when a driver speaks not just as an athlete, but as a witness to a transformation bigger than himself. And when Sergio “Checo” Pérez describes modern Formula 1, it does not sound like a complaint—it sounds like an observation of something everyone feels, but few are willing to say out loud. A feeling that goes beyond results, beyond technical struggles, and beyond nostalgia.
A Formula 1 that is no longer fun
For Pérez, the new technical era has turned driving into more of a management exercise than a pure instinctive challenge.
“It is a new and very complex Formula 1, very different from what we were used to. All the teams have a lot to learn,” he explains.
The Mexican driver does not hide his frustration:
“No one understands it, neither the engineers nor us drivers. It is a fact that the cars are not as fun as they used to be.”
The core of the issue lies in the electric component, now accounting for 50% of total power. “As a driver you always try to go as fast as possible, but now the electric part and energy management play a much bigger role; this makes everything very different and that is why it has cost us so much to adapt.”
A level of complexity that, according to Checo, also creates confusion for those behind the wheel: “It is difficult, you don’t have all the information about what is happening, we all have to adapt to this change in regulations.”
Dangerous speed differences and a costly incident
Pérez is not only talking about sensations—he is talking about real risks. The new regulations have created such significant speed differentials that they are becoming dangerous. The incident involving Oliver Bearman in Japan is the clearest example.
“There are moments when you are going 80 or 90 kilometres per hour faster than the car in front and you don’t know why,” he explains. An unpredictable situation that can turn an overtake into a violent impact.
For Checo, Formula 1 still needs to understand how to manage this new technical identity, because the learning curve affects everyone: drivers, engineers, and teams alike.
The Cadillac challenge and the legacy he wants to leave
Beyond criticism, there is also the future. Pérez speaks about his new adventure with Cadillac as the biggest challenge of his career. “Cadillac is the biggest challenge of my career, a real challenge,” he says.
The project is still young, but confidence is strong:
“I have great trust in the team and the owners. We are ready to take a step forward and I hope this year will be full of success.”
Despite scoring zero points in the first three races, Checo sees a clear development path:
“We have learned a lot with the car. Miami will be a key moment because all the teams will bring significant upgrades.”
And then there is the legacy, something that goes far beyond results:
“I would like to leave a legacy that motivates the next generations. That they know that coming from a normal family in a sport with so few opportunities does not limit you.”
A statement that sounds like a personal manifesto:
“I am a driver who has never given up. I hope my legacy is that a child can see that it is possible to reach Formula 1.”
Sergio Pérez is not just describing a technical struggle—he is describing a Formula 1 that has changed faster than drivers could fully absorb. A Formula 1 that now demands adaptation, patience, and a new kind of courage. And while he takes on the Cadillac challenge, he looks ahead with the same determination that has defined his career: to understand this new era of Formula 1 and leave something meaningful behind.
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