Sergio Pérez has backed Yuki Tsunoda to succeed in the second Red Bull, saying the Japanese driver has the mentality needed to be Max Verstappen's teammate.
Pérez was dropped by Red Bull at the end of 2024 after a rotten run of form, which cost the team the constructors' title.
Pérez's replacement Liam Lawson has already been dropped back to junior team Racing Bulls after two difficult races, and Tsunoda has been promoted for the Japanese GP onwards.
Speaking to F1's official website, Pérez said: "Yuki has the talent, has the speed and, more than that, you need the mentality to cope with it.
"I think he has the right mentality and the right attitude to cope with it. I hope [the team] will succeed."
Pérez thinks the struggles he encountered are now starting to make more sense to people.
"Especially last year, I didn't get to show what I'm able to do as a driver," Pérez said. "Now, all of a sudden, people realise how difficult the car is to drive.
"When I joined Red Bull, there had been great drivers who had struggled -- Alex [Albon], Pierre [Gasly], they are fantastic drivers and they struggled. I spent so long in Red Bull that everyone forgot how difficult the car is to drive, so that was tricky.
"I feel like that if there is a project that makes sense to me -- and also with the regulations changing for 2026 -- I feel like taking a year out won't have any impact if I were to come back.
"For me, it was very simple, the car is just quite difficult to get 100% out of it, to get the confidence out of it -- and the things I struggled with, even Adrian [Newey] talked about them."
Pérez has been tight-lipped on his future. Sources have told ESPN he is being strongly considered by Cadillac, who will enter Formula 1 in 2026 as an 11th team.
The Mexican driver said he's had multiple approaches.
"If I find a project that motivates me fully to come back, where the team believe in me and where they appreciate my career, my experience and everything I can bring to a team, it would be very attractive to consider it," he said.
"That's why I've given myself at least six months to get all my options on the table and make a decision on what I do next with my career. There are a few very interesting projects out there. I've been approached by a few teams since Abu Dhabi. Right now, the season has started so a few things will open up in the coming months.
"We are talking to a few parties out there. Once I know all my options, I will make a decision. What is very clear to me is that I'm only coming back if the project makes sense, and it's something I can enjoy. I've spent a long time in F1 already, I've done most of it. Once you step back, you realise how much you give up in life to be in the sport. So, to be in F1 fully committed, I need the motivation."