Past winner Perez sees Monaco as an opportunity for Cadillac

June 3 : Sergio Perez hopes to look back at the end of the Formula One season and see points on the board for newcomers Cadillac.

While that may look unlikely on current form after five rounds, with the General Motors-backed team yet to qualify higher than 18th in a regular grand prix and with a best finish of 13th, the experienced Mexican remains optimistic.

He also reckons this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, the slowest race on the calendar, could be an opportunity.

"It can be one of our biggest shots so far," Perez, a winner in Monaco with Red Bull in 2022 and third with Force India in 2016 from seventh on the grid, told Reuters ahead of Cadillac's first race in Europe. "But we have to see where we are in the low speeds.

"I think if we are able to be competitive in the low speed, Monaco can be a track that can bring us something."

MONACO HAS SHOWN SURPRISES CAN HAPPEN 

Cadillac have plenty of expertise in their ranks, having recruited heavily from other teams, and Monaco is a race where surprises can happen despite a reputation for processional racing and the risk of crashing around the metal-fenced streets.

It is one where overtaking is tricky and a slower car can keep faster ones behind, depending on grid position.

In 1996, Olivier Panis won for Ligier from 14th on the grid in a wet race that had only three cars running at the chequered flag. Third-placed finisher Johnny Herbert had started 13th while Ferrari's Michael Schumacher was on pole and went into the wall at Mirabeau on the opening lap.

"You never know when your opportunities will come," said Perez.

"You just have to make sure that you deliver 1,000 per cent every single Sunday and see what happens. You never know which race will be the one."

In Canada last month, Perez