Max Verstappen has praised former Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, highlighting the wealth of experience and adaptability he will bring on his return to Formula 1 with Cadillac in 2026.
Cadillac has officially announced its driver line-up for the 2026 season, confirming Valtteri Bottas alongside the Mexican driver as the pilots leading the team’s entrance into the sport.
Perez, who spent four seasons at Red Bull and played a key role in multiple Constructors’ Championship victories, is set for a fresh start after a brief break from the sport.
Speaking ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen, who shared the garage with the veteran driver at Red Bull, reflected on his former team-mate’s experience, professionalism, and the unique perspective he can bring to a team like Cadillac.
The Dutchman also revealed how he was quick to congratulate Perez on the new chapter in his career.
“Quickly, when I saw the news, I sent a message to him,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “So, of course, I’m very happy for him.
“He’s got a seat, he’s a great guy, and we’ve always got along very well. So yeah, I’m happy to see him back on the grid.
“How he’s going to perform, I think will also depend on how good the car is going to be right? It’s a bit difficult to say at the moment, but it’s a new opportunity, and I’m sure he’s very excited for it.”
Verstappen on what Perez can bring to Cadillac
Having raced alongside Perez during his time at Red Bull and witnessed his contributions to the team, Verstappen reflected on what he can bring to Cadillac.
First, he discussed how last season may have undersold Perez’s true abilities and the opportunity he now has to prove himself once again.
“It’s a fresh start now,” he added. “I think also on his side, it’s all about, I mean, just one half of the season doesn’t define what you usually do, right? He’s also quite used to that.
“It’s a new start. He’ll be excited. A new car and he has shown a lot of great things before he got to Red Bull, during the Red Bull time.”
Verstappen went on to outline the added value Perez’s experience brings to a team like Cadillac
“Yeah, I mean, he has driven for a lot of different teams, so he knows a lot of things about how the teams work and how people work in a different way, so that’s already a very interesting trait,” the four-time World Champion explained.
“Sometimes it’s nice to understand what people are good at or what people are worse at. That’s how it goes. Also the behaviour of cars, he’s been in a lot of different regulations, a lot of different rulesets where other things were allowed and were not allowed.
“So to have that general understanding of how great a car is, hopefully that will push them forward in the beginning, because it’s never easy to jump into Formula 1 and you can’t be competitive straight away. But we’ll see how it goes.”
READ MORE – Why F1 break will help Sergio Perez – from a driver who has experienced it
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