Sergio Perez was dropped by Red Bull at the end of last season and replaced by Liam Lawson.

Former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez maintains he has nothing to prove following his unveiling by Formula One’s newest outfit Cadillac. Perez will partner Lewis Hamilton’s former Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas when the American team makes their bow next year.

The Mexican secured a two-year contract with Red Bull during last season only to be axed at the campaign’s conclusion. Red Bull subsequently dismissed Perez’s successor, Liam Lawson, after a mere two races. Yuki Tsunoda, who inherited Lawson’s seat, is also enduring difficulties and faces an uncertain future.

Christian Horner departed as team principal last month following a tumultuous spell for the Milton Keynes-based squad. Speaking candidly, the 35-year-old Perez declared: “I don’t think I have anything to prove, and that’s not just because of the drivers who took my seat, but even before that.

“Everyone forgets about it now, but it (Red Bull) has been a very tricky place to be at – to constantly adapt and build confidence, and mentally it is a very unique challenge.

“When you see the amount of points they (Tsunoda and Lawson) scored (seven combined) in an entire season, in that regard, I don’t have anything to prove.

“This is a comeback to enjoy the sport. I had a very difficult final year with Red Bull. This is a sport I love, and a sport that has given me so much.

“I could not afford to leave the sport in the way I did, and this is why I am coming back with this new project and I hope it is a very successful one. I want to get back to enjoying the sport and I want to help this team move forwards.”

Cadillac, a branch of American automotive behemoth General Motors, will be supplied by Ferrari before developing their own power units.

The outfit will become the first fresh constructor in F1 for a decade, with team principal Graeme Lowdon already acknowledging they are prepared to finish bottom in their maiden season.

Cadillac have chosen experience with Perez and Bottas – a Mercedes reserve driver this year following his contract’s non-renewal by Sauber at the conclusion of 2024 – sharing 16 victories between them across over 500 collective race starts.

Bottas celebrates his 36th birthday on Thursday. Lowdon remarked: “We will talk a lot about experience, but I should stress, too, that these guys are quick. They have not been hired just because of the number of grands prix they have entered.

“Their experience is important, but these are two very, very quick drivers, and I cannot wait to go racing with them.”