Perez Sees Podium Return with Cadillac: 'I Really Believe It'
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Formula One driver Sergio Perez is confident he can achieve a podium finish with his new team, Cadillac, despite expecting to start at the back of the grid next season. Perez, a 36-year-old Mexican driver with 39 career podiums, will team up with Valtteri Bottas at the American-owned team, which is backed by General Motors. The duo, with a combined 527 starts and 16 grand prix victories, will face a challenge in their debut season, but Perez is optimistic about their prospects. 'I think we're going to start at the back, progressively move forward. But ultimately, in the near future, that is a target,' he said. To prepare for the 2026 season, Perez will drive a 2023 Ferrari at Imola this month, followed by a seat-fit for the 2026 Cadillac at the Silverstone factory. The team is well-funded and staffed, with over 400 people on board and a target of about 600. Perez, who has been dropped as Max Verstappen's Red Bull teammate, sees his move to Cadillac as an opportunity to enjoy racing again and achieve his goal of 40 podiums. 'It doesn't matter who gets there, as long as it's Cadillac,' he said. The team's 2026 car will feature a Ferrari engine, with testing scheduled for the end of January in Barcelona. Perez is excited to be part of the first all-new team on the grid since Haas a decade ago and believes they have the potential to make a strong impact in the sport.
