New Delhi, Oct. 21 -- The Mexican driver said Tuesday that bringing Cadillac into a leading role in the sport's top tier will take time, but he does not plan on competing with the team for much longer.

"It's a project that requires more time than I initially thought," Perez said in an interview with Televisa network. "I think giving a specific number (of years) is difficult, but it won't be much longer."

The 36-year-old Perez missed last season when Red Bull dropped him, but returned with Cadillac as it made its debut in the top category.

His best results this season are a pair of 14th-place finishes. In addition, he has retired from five races due to various issues.

"People who understand Formula 1 know the level I am driving at. It ...