Red Bull Chief Engineer Paul Monaghan has tipped Sergio Perez to excel upon his comeback to Formula 1 in 2026 with the brand-new Cadillac team.
Perez was consigned to a campaign on the sidelines last term as his struggles alongside Max Verstappen in 2024 prompted Red Bull to release him.
However, Cadillac’s admission will expand the grid to 11 sides, and Perez has been chosen to represent the American marque in its debut campaign.
Like Perez, Valtteri Bottas has also been given an F1 reprieve with Cadillac, which has elected to go with two experienced multiple-time race winners.
Monaghan, who worked with Perez between 2021 and 2024, harbours zero doubts that the Mexican will prove to be a shrewd acquisition by Cadillac.
“He finished with us struggling a little bit to keep up with his team-mate,” Monaghan told media including Motorsport Week.
“Perhaps a year off, a bit of sunshine, reset the brain, and he’ll come back, and he’ll be fighting fit and fairly quick, I feel.”
Why Aston Martin won’t discount Perez-led Cadillac
Likewise, Aston Martin Sporting Director Andy Stevenson expressed that he would be pleased to see Perez revive his career after a hard end to his time at Red Bull.
“I’m a huge fan of Checo, and I’d love to see him relaunch his career,” the Briton said.
“He is a fantastic talent, he’s a great race driver, and I think it would be great to see him back on the circuit again. So I’m looking forward to that.”
Cadillac has moved to downplay expectations heading into its inaugural campaign, which coincides with huge changes to both the chassis and engine regulations.
However, with two established drivers and multiple F1 veterans in the ranks, Stevenson has stressed that it would be an unwise stance to discount the newcomers.
“It’s very difficult for us to say how Cadillac are going to manage it,” he admitted.
“They’re obviously putting together a very professional team, and they have good finances behind them.
“I’m hoping that Cadillac don’t go too well – but they’re certainly someone we’re not going to dismiss.
“They are a genuine challenge, and from what we’ve seen so far, they’ll be a very professional outfit.”
READ MORE – Sergio Perez reveals why Red Bull axe proved ‘a dream scenario’
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