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via Motorsport.comLaurent Mekies credited with ending Red Bull's second seat "curse"Laurent Mekies, the Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, has been credited with transforming the team's culture, which has reportedly helped Isack Hadjar thrive in his role. Will Buxton highlighted that Mekies has replaced the historically ruthless environment with a more supportive atmosphere, allowing drivers to perform better without excessive pressure.
Hadjar, who was promoted to Red Bull in 2026, impressed in his first race back after recovering from a wrist injury, finishing third. The change in management style under Mekies is seen as a significant factor in lifting what was referred to as Red Bull's second seat 'curse', which had previously troubled the team in finding a suitable teammate for Max Verstappen.
Thu 1 Oct · 07:00 UTC
via the-race.comThe slowest race of F1 2026 explainedValtteri Bottas has detailed his significant pace issues during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he was over 1.7 seconds slower per lap than his Cadillac teammate Sergio Perez. Bottas crashed on the final lap after struggling with car setup and power steering issues throughout the race, leading to a lack of competitiveness. He acknowledged that he was unable to keep up with the pack and faced difficulties in both corners and straights.
Bottas's performance was further impacted by the absence of the upgraded ADUO 2 Ferrari engine, which Perez had during the race. While Bottas's engine upgrade is uncertain for the upcoming race in Sepang, Perez has opted to save his power unit for a more advantageous event. Both drivers anticipate a tough weekend in Malaysia due to the Cadillac's ongoing struggles with tyre management and aerodynamic performance.
Thu 1 Oct · 04:29 UTC
via Motorsport.comBottas confirms Cadillac brake fix reduced temperatures by 100CValtteri Bottas has announced that Cadillac's recent modifications to their brake cooling system have successfully lowered front brake temperatures by approximately 100 degrees Celsius. This improvement addresses a significant reliability issue that the team has faced in its early Formula 1 campaign.+ 1 moreWed 30 Sep · 09:43 UTC
via f1oversteer.comOtmar Szafnauer admits Sergio Perez nearly got a five-year FIA ban before he joined Red BullOtmar Szafnauer disclosed that Sergio Perez was close to receiving a five-year ban from the FIA due to a doping rules violation during the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix. After the race, Perez underwent IV treatment for dehydration, which is prohibited under FIA regulations. The situation escalated when Perez shared details of the treatment on social media, prompting Szafnauer to engage a top sports lawyer to navigate the potential consequences.
Ultimately, the issue was resolved without a ban, allowing Perez to continue his career, which included a move to Red Bull in 2021. Now 36, Perez is on the verge of reaching 300 race starts, while Cadillac is evaluating potential driver changes for the 2027 season, which could impact his teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Wed 30 Sep · 07:30 UTC
via f1chronicle.comSergio Perez Calls Pointless Baku Weekend ‘One of My Best’ as Cadillac’s Struggles ContinueSergio Perez has declared his Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend as one of his best despite finishing outside the points. After starting from P20 due to a grid penalty, he managed to recover to 14th place, matching his best result of the season with Cadillac, who are still seeking their first points in Formula 1.
Despite the lack of points, Perez expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting that he felt competitive throughout the race. He acknowledged the need for improvements in Cadillac's car to enhance their competitiveness, particularly in straight-line speed, as they aim for a points finish before the end of the season.
Tue 29 Sep · 20:49 UTC
via grandprix.comSergio Perez warns of dangers with 2026 F1 carsSergio Perez has expressed concerns about the safety of the 2026 Formula 1 cars, stating he fears that 'something bad is going to happen soon.' He highlighted the dangerous closing speeds caused by differences in power deployment among engine manufacturers, particularly after a close call during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
via Motorsport.com“I fear something bad is going to happen soon” – 2026 F1 cars are “too dangerous”, Sergio Perez warnsSergio Perez has raised alarms about the safety of the 2026 Formula 1 cars, citing significant speed differentials that could lead to accidents. His concerns were amplified after a serious crash involving Oliver Bearman at the Japanese Grand Prix, which underscored the risks associated with the new power units that feature a high percentage of electrical energy.
Following a close call with Liam Lawson during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Perez urged for regulatory changes to address the dangerous disparities in engine performance. The FIA has already made some adjustments, and further changes are expected for the 2027 season to improve safety. Despite these efforts, Perez remains apprehensive about the implications for upcoming races.Tue 29 Sep · 12:39 UTC
via PlanetF1‘So dangerous’ – Heated Liam Lawson team radio after untelevised Sergio Perez moveDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Liam Lawson expressed his frustration over Sergio Perez's aggressive defensive tactics, describing them as 'so dangerous' during a team radio transmission. This incident occurred after Lawson had passed Perez, who made a sudden move to the left, forcing Lawson to adjust his line. Both drivers finished the race in 12th and 14th positions, respectively, while George Russell secured his third victory of the season.
The rivalry between Lawson and Perez dates back to the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, where tensions flared. Lawson's career has seen ups and downs, including being dropped by Red Bull and later returning to the Racing Bulls team. The F1 2026 season is set to continue with the Bahrain Grand Prix, marking a significant return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017.
Mon 28 Sep · 17:04 UTC
via Formula1.comPerez reflects on 'one of my best weekends'Sergio Perez expressed satisfaction with his performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, calling it one of his best weekends despite finishing 14th and missing out on points for Cadillac. He highlighted his strong practice sessions but faced challenges in qualifying, which resulted in a grid penalty that hindered his race position.
Despite the struggles, Perez managed to stay competitive with midfield runners and noted the need for improvements in Cadillac's car performance. He acknowledged that the team has not planned any major upgrades for the remainder of the season but remains optimistic about operational improvements and pushing the team forward as they prepare for 2027.
Mon 28 Sep · 15:57 UTC
via Motorsport.comHow was Valtteri Bottas so much slower than Sergio Perez in the Azerbaijan GP?In the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas experienced a significant performance gap compared to his teammate Sergio Perez, being outqualified by over a second and falling far behind during the race. Bottas struggled with pace, losing time consistently and ultimately crashing due to a technical issue shortly before the finish.
Sergio Perez, on the other hand, managed to extract maximum performance from his car, competing closely with faster vehicles despite lacking straight-line speed. He expressed pride in his aggressive driving style throughout the race, while Bottas's difficulties continued, marking a third consecutive race without leading his teammate.Mon 28 Sep · 14:45 UTC
via PlanetF1Valtteri Bottas explains Azerbaijan Grand Prix strugglesValtteri Bottas has shared his thoughts on his disappointing performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, attributing it to damper degradation affecting his Cadillac's ride quality. He noted that the car 'got a bit confused,' which contributed to his retirement from the race.+ 1 moreMon 28 Sep · 11:32 UTC
via RacingNews365Sergio Perez receives grid penalty for Azerbaijan incidentThe FIA has imposed a grid penalty on Sergio Perez following an incident involving Oscar Piastri during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The penalty was confirmed after a stewards' investigation found that Perez had impeded Piastri.
+ 3 moreFri 25 Sep · 15:29 UTC
via gpfans.comHow F1 drivers' WhatsApp group reacted to Monaco sprint announcementSergio Perez revealed that he found out about the 2027 Monaco Grand Prix sprint race through a busy WhatsApp group chat among drivers. The announcement raised eyebrows due to Monaco's reputation as a challenging track for overtaking, leading to discussions about the potential impact of the sprint race format on the weekend's dynamics.
Oscar Piastri and George Russell also shared their thoughts during a press conference, with Piastri expressing initial surprise but understanding the reasoning behind two qualifying sessions. Russell supported the decision, stating that the introduction of sprint races adds excitement to the overall weekend experience, even if the actual race may not be the most thrilling.
Wed 23 Sep · 16:28 UTC
via RacingNews365Sergio Perez armed with fresh Cadillac weapon in Baku happy hunting groundSergio Perez is set to race in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with an upgraded Ferrari engine, marking his return to Baku after two years. He is the most successful driver in the history of this race, having achieved two wins and multiple podium finishes. Perez is optimistic about breaking Cadillac's points drought, as the team has struggled this season, with their best result being 13th place.
In his last appearance in Baku, Perez showcased strong performance despite a challenging season, out-qualifying Max Verstappen and contending for a podium before a crash. He expressed eagerness to replicate his past success at the circuit and aims to establish a good rhythm during practice sessions to secure a positive result for his team.Tue 22 Sep · 17:10 UTC
via RacingNews365Sergio Perez praises Cadillac's new factory developmentSergio Perez and teammate Valtteri Bottas recently toured Cadillac's new factory, expressing their admiration for the facility. Team Principal Graeme Budkowski addressed speculation regarding the operation during the visit.+ 1 moreThu 17 Sep · 17:10 UTC
via RacingNews365Cadillac deliver Sergio Perez response after 'disappointment' verdictSergio Perez recently voiced his disappointment regarding the performance of the Cadillac F1 team, which has struggled since joining the grid as the 11th team this year. Team principal Marcin Budkowski responded by advising Perez to manage his expectations, emphasizing that the team is currently facing reliability issues that have hindered their progress on the track.
Budkowski explained that the team's resources have been redirected towards fixing these reliability problems and developing the 2027 car, leading to a plateau in performance development for the current season. He remains optimistic about the potential for improvement by addressing operational and quality issues within the car.Wed 16 Sep · 15:15 UTC
via Motorsport.comWas Cadillac “faster” than Williams in Madring F1 race?Cadillac Racing, in its first season in Formula 1, showed some promising pace during the Spanish Grand Prix, particularly with driver Sergio Perez, who managed to keep up with Williams' Alexander Albon until a mechanical issue forced him to retire. Despite finishing 17th, Perez noted that he was competitive and even faster than Albon during certain parts of the race, which provided a glimmer of hope for the team.
On the other hand, teammate Valtteri Bottas struggled throughout the race, finishing at the back and highlighting ongoing reliability concerns. Cadillac has faced numerous challenges this season, including a high number of retirements, but both drivers remain hopeful for improvements in future races, particularly in the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix.Wed 16 Sep · 13:56 UTC
via Motorsport WeekSergio Perez offers hilarious response to Kimi Antonelli radio feudSergio Perez responded humorously to criticism from Kimi Antonelli, who was frustrated after being held up by Perez during the second practice session at the Madring. Antonelli expressed his annoyance over the radio, but Perez joked that Antonelli might have been confused about the driver he was complaining about.
Despite the traffic challenges at the new Spanish GP track, Perez remained positive, calling it a "really cool track." However, he faced penalties for speeding in the pitlane and qualified nineteenth, contrasting with Antonelli's second-place qualifying position. Cadillac, Perez's team, has yet to score any points in the 2026 season.
Sun 13 Sep · 10:45 UTC
via grandprix.comCadillac pays twice for Perez pit-lane speedingDuring the opening practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madrid circuit, Cadillac faced financial penalties due to Sergio Perez exceeding the pit-lane speed limit on two occasions. The first infraction saw Perez clock in at 53.9 mph, resulting in a fine of approximately $810, while the second infraction, where he reached 60.1 mph, incurred a fine of about $1,160. This brought Cadillac's total fines to around $1,970, marking a challenging start for the team at the new venue.
The penalties were issued under Article B1.6.3a.i of the FIA Formula 1 regulations and were classified as team fines, meaning they did not affect Perez's sporting penalties for the weekend. Despite the financial setbacks, Perez's performance in the session was subpar, finishing 21st and only ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas. The incident highlights the challenges teams face with pit-lane management, especially at a circuit with a long pit lane like Madring.
via f1oversteer.comSergio Perez shares what he ‘tried to do’ that likely cost George Russell the Italian Grand Prix winSergio Perez revealed that a sudden battery issue contributed to George Russell's missed opportunity to win the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. Russell, who was favored to win, was affected by Perez's slowdown during a virtual safety car, costing him valuable time as Antonelli, starting from P19, overtook him to secure victory.
Russell's loss at Monza has significant implications for the championship standings, as he now sits 66 points behind Antonelli. Despite the setback, Russell acknowledged his teammate's superior performance this season and expressed a realistic outlook on his chances for the title, emphasizing the need for luck in the remaining races.Fri 11 Sep · 09:00 UTCPage 1 of 3