Pat Symonds, the engineering consultant for Cadillac Formula 1, has come forward to support Sergio Perez, stating that the criticism directed at the Mexican driver over recent seasons is “unwarranted.”
The American team is set to join the Formula 1 grid in 2026, marking its entry as the 11th squad. They will feature an experienced roster, including former Mercedes pilot Valtteri Bottas and ex-Red Bull racer Sergio Perez.
As Perez prepares to leave Red Bull at the conclusion of the 2024 championship, he has faced considerable scrutiny while competing alongside four-time titleholder Max Verstappen. While Verstappen has excelled in the current era of ground effect and with Red Bull’s advanced machinery, Perez has found it challenging to achieve the same level of success.
Despite this, Red Bull has struggled to secure a long-term replacement for Perez’s second seat since his departure. Liam Lawson briefly filled the veteran driver’s role at the beginning of 2025 but was reassigned to Racing Bulls after just two races. Subsequently, Yuki Tsunoda took over for the remainder of the 2025 season, only to be succeeded by Isack Hadjar for 2026.
“Of course, I have worked with Valtteri before at Williams,” Symonds remarked during the initial day of pre-season testing in Bahrain. “I really enjoyed collaborating with him. He’s a highly skilled driver, extremely quick, and provides excellent feedback.”
“I didn’t have prior experience with Checo, so it was rewarding to hear his insights during our first simulator session. I was genuinely impressed by his contributions. Over the past few years, Checo has received negative media attention that I believe is undeserved. He is a talented driver, has secured race victories, and possesses a strong understanding of his craft.”
“Working alongside Zhou, our reserve driver, has also been beneficial. Both have provided exceptional feedback in the simulator. Checo demonstrates a commendable work ethic; he actively participates in every briefing and stays well-informed about the team’s activities. I believe we have a fantastic lineup moving forward.”
