Checo Perez’s tenure at Red Bull ended on a difficult note after 2023 saw him achieve career-high success as a runner-up in the Drivers' Championship and help secure the Constructors' title.

Yet the 2024 season unfolded harshly with a steep drop-off in form, yielding just nine points over the last eight Grands Prix.

Despite holding two more years on his contract, an agreement was reached for a parting of ways, signaling the end of a highly scrutinized four-year stint overshadowed by internal team dynamics and pressure as Max Verstappen’s teammate.​

A New Beginning with Cadillac

Taking a sabbatical in 2025 to regain mental clarity and reconnect with his passion, Perez confirmed his comeback by signing with the newly-formed Cadillac Formula 1 team for 2026.

The American-backed project, entering F1 as its 11th team, offers Perez a unique challenge to apply his vast experience shaping a fresh outfit.

He expressed genuine excitement about working with Cadillac’s management and delivering strong results from the very start, calling the opportunity “humbling” and emphasizing his desire to enjoy the sport again rather than prove anything.​

Rekindled Passion and Forward Focus

Perez openly described his return as a revival of love for racing, born out of a taxing final year and a needed break. He believes the fresh start with Cadillac will serve as the perfect platform to fully enjoy Formula 1 once again and make a meaningful impact.

Partnering with fellow veteran Valtteri Bottas, Perez looks forward to contributing to the team’s progress and legacy, embracing the challenge of competing alongside the sport’s rising and established stars with renewed enthusiasm.

This comeback signals not only a professional reset but a personal journey back to the joy and passion that initially fueled his career.