Cadillac's Symonds defends Perez: 'Bad press is undeserved'

Cadillac's Formula 1 engineering consultant Pat Symonds has publicly defended Sergio Perez, calling the intense criticism the Mexican driver faced in recent years "undeserved." As the new American team prepares for its 2026 grid entry with Perez and Valtteri Bottas, Symonds praised both drivers' competence and feedback, signaling strong internal confidence in their lineup.

Why it matters:

Symonds' defense challenges the dominant narrative around Perez's Red Bull tenure and highlights Cadillac's strategic driver selection. For a new team entering the highly competitive F1 landscape, having experienced, race-winning drivers who are fully integrated and motivated is a critical foundation. This public vote of confidence aims to reset Perez's story and build momentum for the team's debut.

The details:

• Pat Symonds, a veteran F1 engineer now with Cadillac, stated he was "very impressed" with Perez after their first simulator session together, contrasting sharply with the driver's recent public perception.
• He emphasized Perez's proven track record: "He's a very competent driver, he's won races, he knows what he's doing."
• Symonds also praised the work ethic of the entire driver lineup, noting Perez attends every briefing and is deeply involved.
• The context for the defense is Perez's challenging final seasons at Red Bull, where he struggled to match teammate Max Verstappen's performance in the dominant car, leading to significant scrutiny and his exit at the end of 2024.
• Red Bull's subsequent difficulty in solidifying its second seat—cycling through Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, and now Isack Hadjar for 2026—retrospectively adds nuance to Perez's time there.

What's next:

All focus shifts to 2026, when the Cadillac F1 team makes its official debut. The pressure will be on Perez and Bottas to validate Symonds' confidence and translate their experience into points and performance for the new constructor. A strong start is vital for establishing the team's credibility. For Perez, this represents a prime opportunity to rebuild his reputation in a fresh environment with the full backing of a factory team, free from the direct comparison that defined his Red Bull years.