Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen have accomplished a long-awaited trade.
Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen had been team-mates for 4 years (Picture: Getty) This text comprises affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Be taught extra
Sergio Perez posted a photograph of his helmet swap with Max Verstappen in an end-of-year Instagram round-up, confirming that the Dutchman accomplished a promise that he revealed to the media in 2025.
Perez and Verstappen spent 4 seasons as team-mates between 2021 and 2024, with the Mexican racer taking part in a pivotal supporting function because the 28-year-old beat Lewis Hamilton to win his maiden Drivers’ Championship crown.
The Guadalajara-born driver was axed by Pink Bull on the finish of the 2024 marketing campaign after a depressing 12 months, making approach for New Zealander Liam Lawson, who was axed simply two races into the 2025 season after a depressing begin. His alternative, Yuki Tsunoda, didn’t fare significantly better.
Tsunoda and Verstappen shared photographs of their helmet swap after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and the Dutchman has additionally traded lids with former team-mate Perez forward of the 35-year-old’s return to the grid with Cadillac in 2026.
“We had been nice team-mates, and so I’ve a variety of respect for him, he has a variety of respect for me, and that’s it from my facet,” Verstappen defined in 2025. “I’m trying ahead to hopefully seeing him once more within the paddock quickly, and I nonetheless want to offer him a helmet of mine.
“I promised him that as a result of he gave me certainly one of his with a really good message on it, and I promised him that hopefully, round Mexico, I may give him certainly one of mine. So for me, no matter is written within the media, I understand how Checo is, and now we have an incredible relationship.”
Perez is getting ready to return with Cadillac (Picture: Getty)
Perez returns to the paddock in 2026 with the brand new Cadillac squad, teaming up with Valtteri Bottas after each drivers spent the 12 months on the sidelines in 2025 following exits from Pink Bull and Sauber, respectively.
Nonetheless, Perez gained’t have the ability to relaxation on his return to the game. Cadillac are priming former IndyCar icon Colton Herta for a shot at an F1 profession in 2027, with the California native taking over Formulation Two with Hitech subsequent time period.
“To me, it’s kind of irrelevant the place we begin,” Perez advised F1.com in November. “What’s extra necessary is how rapidly we’re capable of progress. I wish to push the crew ahead from day one. I believe we will shock lots of people.
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“That is a goal for us, to have the ability to have a powerful impression in Formulation One since day one.” He added: “I see this as my essential, large, closing challenge within the sport, and I wish to guarantee that I make it a profitable comeback.”
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