Perez hopes for 'four additional years' following his return to F1.

      Sergio Perez has expressed his desire to prolong his Formula 1 career well past his current contract after making his return to the grid in 2026. The 36-year-old Mexican driver is back with Cadillac following a challenging departure from Red Bull and a year off in 2025.

      When asked by Bild newspaper about his comeback, he said, "Fantastic! I realize how much I enjoy the competition. It feels wonderful to be part of a team. I still have a lot of energy to dedicate to a race weekend."

      He added, "So much so that I’ve adjusted my plans. Initially, I thought my return to Formula 1 would be a brief chapter. But now, I want to stay longer. I’m performing at a high level and can still keep up."

      Perez’s current contract is for two years, but he is looking further ahead, stating, "My contract lasts for two years, but I’m thinking more in terms of four. As long as I remain competitive, I'll continue. My family needs to be supportive, and they are. My wife and children are very pleased that I’m back in Formula 1."

      Despite his revived enthusiasm, Perez has voiced concerns about the current generation of cars. "I'm not really fond of the changes. Formula 1 has become quite different, and we all need to adapt," he remarked. "However, I believe we could work together to create a better sporting product than we currently have. I recognize the need for the sport to become economically sustainable, yet there remains much work to do."

      He concluded, "Ultimately, we’re here because we love racing, and I feel we’ve lost some of that passion." Perez also shared common concerns regarding energy management, stating, "This aspect makes Formula 1 less enjoyable than it used to be. The rules are being modified somewhat now because that’s what we drivers requested. However, those in charge need to listen to us more effectively; there are other elements we wish to change."

      Reflecting on his career, Perez identified Max Verstappen as his toughest teammate, saying, "Max Verstappen is number one. But he isn’t that far ahead. He’s undoubtedly a unique talent, but if we had all driven cars we felt completely at ease in, we would have all been quite close."

      Looking forward, Perez has set clear yet modest goals for his new team: "To outperform other teams. If we, as a new racing team, can achieve that, it would be fantastic. I dream of beating two or three established teams."