Sergio Perez reveals 'biggest challenge' in full-time F1 return

After a year away from the grid, Sergio Perez is finally back racing full-time in Formula 1 in 2026 with Cadillac. However, the Mexican driver admitted that the biggest adjustment wasn't about speed, but the relentless schedule of an F1 driver's life.

Perez, who left Red Bull at the end of 2024 after a challenging season, was recruited by Cadillac alongside Valtteri Bottas to lead the development of the American team's brand-new car. Their experience is seen as a key asset in building the debutant squad.

In an interview with media including RacingNews365, Perez revealed that transitioning from a sabbatical to the intense F1 calendar was the toughest hurdle. "The biggest challenge was getting back to the rhythm of the schedule of an F1 driver, to be honest," he said.

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"Initially, I was doing a test and then getting a message that I had to be in a different country in two days, then two days later in another country. You tend to forget how the life of an F1 driver is: how busy and scheduled everything is, you live through a schedule," Perez explained.

However, after two or three months, Perez said he had no choice but to adapt. "I got used to it," he stated. Yet, after 11 rounds, Cadillac is still waiting for their first points. This remains a major task for Perez and Bottas to lift the team's performance.

Perez's return also draws attention because he must adapt to a new car and a different team philosophy than Red Bull. Nevertheless, his vast experience is expected to accelerate Cadillac's learning curve in their debut season.