P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Sergio Perez has disclosed the reaction from his fellow F1 drivers upon being confirmed as a Cadillac driver for 2026.
Sergio Perez disclosed that Max Verstappen was the first F1 driver to reach out to him upon learning about his return to the grid with Cadillac. Perez, a six-time grand prix winner, has signed with the American team for its debut season in 2026, following a season of being sidelined by Red Bull. His new teammate at Cadillac will be Valtteri Bottas, but it was Verstappen who congratulated him first on his comeback. Despite a challenging period alongside Verstappen, Perez’s reputation in the F1 community has benefited from the struggles of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda as they have collectively scored only seven points in the second Red Bull seat this year. The positive reaction from his peers upon Perez’s return demonstrates his enduring popularity among the drivers, with Max Verstappen being the first to express his support for the 35-year-old’s comeback.
