After a Difficult Farewell, Pérez Has Fallen Back in Love with F1
When Sergio Pérez waved a « complicated goodbye » to the Formula 1 grid at the end of 2024, many assumed it was the end of a long and turbulent career. After a bruising final season at Red Bull Racing, the veteran driver seemed mentally exhausted.
Yet, as the 2025 season enters its final act, Pérez is back on the grid, and more importantly, he’s smiling again. Now « fully invested » in the new Cadillac F1 project, the Mexican driver reveals he has slowly rediscovered his passion for the sport, embarking on what he calls his « last dance. »
🏁 A « Complicated Goodbye »
Pérez’s final year at Red Bull Racing in 2024 was, by his own admission, one of the most difficult of his career. While his (now former) teammate Max Verstappen was fighting for a fourth title, Pérez struggled to extract performance from the car and found himself under relentless media and internal pressure.
His exit from the championship-winning team was abrupt and difficult. It left the F1 veteran questioning his future in the sport he had dedicated his life to, admitting that the high-stakes, high-stress environment had taken its toll.
Cadillac: A New Home and a « Last Dance »
The 2025 season offered an unexpected lifeline. The new, ambitious Cadillac F1 project, making its debut on the grid, sought an experienced driver to lead its foundational year. For Pérez, it was the perfect opportunity—a chance to race without the crushing expectation of immediate victory.
« Joining Cadillac was a chance to start fresh, » Pérez stated in a recent interview. « The pressure is different. We are not fighting for the championship; we are fighting to build something. Every point we score feels like a victory. »
This new environment, focused on development and long-term goals rather than weekly results, has allowed Pérez to reset. « I am fully invested here. It allowed me to fall back in love with the process, the engineering, and the driving, » he explained.
💖 Ending on a Positive Note
As the 2025 season winds down, Pérez is not battling for the title being contested by Norris, Piastri, and his former teammate. Instead, he is focused on his own goals: guiding Cadillac and enjoying his final chapter in F1.
« This is my last dance, » Pérez confirmed. « Formula 1 has given me everything, and I was bitter about how 2024 ended. I didn’t want to leave the sport feeling that way.
« Cadillac gave me the chance to close this book on a positive note. I am determined to finish this season, and my career, giving my absolute best and, most importantly, enjoying the drive. »
Sources
- ESPN F1 (2025). Pérez: ‘This is my last dance’ in F1.
- The Race (2025). How Sergio Pérez found a new home at Cadillac.
- Motorsport.com (2025). Pérez ‘fully invested’ in Cadillac project after Red Bull exit.
- Sky Sports F1 (2025). Checo: ‘I have fallen back in love with Formula 1’.
- Viaplay (2025). Sergio Pérez Las Vegas GP Preview.