Sergio Perez reveals his F1 retirement timeline ahead of ...read

Sergio Perez reveals his F1 retirement timeline ahead of …read more

Sergio Perez has opened up about his long-term future in Formula 1, confirming that he already has a clear idea of when he plans to walk away from the sport — even before turning a wheel for Cadillac in his first race with the American-backed team.
For a driver who once looked destined to quietly fade from the grid, Perez’s career revival has been nothing short of remarkable. At the end of the 2024 season, many believed the Mexican veteran’s time in F1 had come to an unceremonious end. Red Bull’s decision to drop him followed a difficult campaign in which he finished only eighth in the drivers’ championship, trailing team-mate Max Verstappen by a staggering 285 points. Critics were quick to label him finished, and his reputation appeared badly damaged.
Yet, as Formula 1 so often proves, perspective can change quickly.
The struggles of his replacements, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, unexpectedly helped reshape the narrative around Perez. Their inability to consistently match Verstappen’s pace or deliver the stability Red Bull had hoped for led many fans and pundits to reconsider just how valuable Perez had actually been. What once looked like underperformance began to resemble the reality of driving alongside one of the sport’s most dominant champions.
That shift in perception helped Perez secure an unlikely return to the grid, this time with Cadillac, a project eager to blend experience with ambition. For Perez, the move represents both a fresh challenge and a final chapter in an already impressive career.
Now 35, Perez has acknowledged that he is realistic about his future in the sport. Speaking candidly, he confirmed that his comeback is not intended to be open-ended. While he did not give a precise year, Perez made it clear that he sees Cadillac as the team with which he will close his Formula 1 journey.
“I know I’m closer to the end than the beginning,” Perez admitted. “What matters to me now is enjoying racing again, being competitive, and helping build something meaningful.”
Rather than chasing statistics or extending his career for the sake of it, Perez says he wants to retire on his own terms — with dignity, satisfaction, and the feeling that he contributed positively to a team’s growth. This mindset marks a sharp contrast to the uncertainty that surrounded him just one year ago.
Perez’s story is one of resilience. From early struggles at McLaren, to race-winning success at Racing Point, to his highs and lows at Red Bull, he has repeatedly proven his ability to adapt and survive in one of the most unforgiving sports in the world. His victories in Monaco, Azerbaijan, and Saudi Arabia remain career highlights, while his role in helping Red Bull secure constructors’ titles cannot be erased by one difficult season.
With Cadillac, Perez sees an opportunity to combine experience with leadership. The team values his technical feedback, racecraft, and calm presence — qualities that younger drivers often lack. In return, Perez gains the chance to race without the constant pressure of being compared to Verstappen every weekend.
Importantly, Perez insists that retirement is not something he fears. Instead, he views it as a natural and respectful conclusion to a long professional journey.
“When I leave F1, I want to feel proud of what I achieved and grateful for everything the sport gave me,” he said. “Not everyone gets to decide when they stop.”
For fans, Perez’s return and honest outlook add emotional depth to the upcoming seasons. His story is no longer just about lap times and points, but about redemption, perspective, and finishing strong.
As he prepares to line up on the grid in Cadillac colours, Sergio Perez is no longer racing to prove he belongs — he is racing to enjoy every remaining moment before he finally says goodbye to Formula 1 on his own terms.