Perez lifts lid on 'demotivation' at Red Bull: 'Difficult few months'

16:14, 16 Nov

Updated: 18:05, 16 Nov

byOlly Darcy

Sergio Perez admitted that he had "a bit of demotivation" during a "very difficult" last six months at Red Bull Racing.

"The day that I leave the sport, I want to leave it with a big smile and a lot of respect because the sport has given me everything."

- Sergio Perez

The Mexican joined the Austrian team alongside Max Verstappen for the 2021 season, tallying five race wins and helping Red Bull secure the 2022 and 2023 constructors' championships.

However, despite a contract extension in June 2024, a hugely disappointing campaign saw the 35-year-old and Red Bull part ways, resulting in Perez having no seat for the 2025 season and have a year-long absance from the sport.

Now, Perez will return to the grid as he races for the brand new Cadillac team who will make their debut in 2026, and he is thankful for the time he had away from the world of F1.

valtteri-bottas-and-sergio-perez-announced-as-cadillac-drivers.jpg

Sergio Perez will team up with Valtteri Bottas as Cadillac joins the grid for the 2026 season - Photo: Cadillac

"I didn't feel at the time [but I needed the break]," Perez explained in an interview with F1.com.

"When you are in the sport, you are carried away with the fact that you are always thinking about your next year, your next race, your next contract.

"It's like you are in automatic mode. But once you are forced to step out of it like I was, you realise a lot of things and you see the sport differently."

Read also

Perez could only finish P8 at the end of the 2024 season, scoring just 152 points, while teammate Verstappen sealed a fourth consecutive world championship with 437 points to his name.

“You have to remember that my last six months at Red Bull were very difficult for myself in all areas," continued the Mexican.

"I started to have a bit of demotivation with the sport, and I cannot let that happen because this is a sport that gave me everything.

"The day that I leave the sport, I want to leave it with a big smile and a lot of respect because the sport has given me everything."

Relaxed Perez impresses in first test back

Now, the Mexican is revitalised after his year-long hiatus from the pinnacle of motorsport, as proven by the 35-year-old, who showed remarkable pace during his first TPC test with Cadillac, getting some valuable miles under his belt before his return.

"It feels great. Now that I look back, it was like a dream scenario, being able to take a year out and then get that refreshment."

"After 15 years or so in Formula 1 to get that refreshment and then have all the energy again for what I see as my final stint in the sport... I have all the energy now to get back to it, to work with the team, to push the team forward in all areas, on the simulator. It's a new team, so we're starting basically from zero.”

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.