Sergio Perez is emerging as the strong favourite to become Cadillac’s first Formula 1 driver in 2026. Perez missed out on a 2025 seat after leaving Red Bull at the end of the season.
While the Mexican hasn’t said outright that he wants to return to F1 at the age of 35, he’s been exploring options behind the scenes. Interest in his services has remained despite his ignominious Red Bull exit.
Perez originally had a contract for 2025, but Christian Horner and co. opted to pay him off after spiralling results rendered his position untenable. However, he’s seen his reputation improve without so much as turning a wheel.
Liam Lawson did Perez a favour by struggling even more alongside Max Verstappen, so much so that he lost his seat after just two races. Yuki Tsunoda has been an upgrade on Lawson, and perhaps latter-day Perez, but still can’t get close to Verstappen for the most part.
Now, suitors are thinking more about the Perez who won six Grands Prix at Red Bull and scored 10 podiums for midfield teams, rather than the Perez who unravelled from May 2024 onwards.
A report on Thursday claimed that Cadillac had decided to sign Perez. The Americans are entering F1 next year as the 11th team.
Cadillac’s Pat Symonds insists it’s a coincidence that Sergio Perez is in Miami
Cadillac figures are in attendance at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix as they prepare for a team launch event on Saturday. Among them is Pat Symonds, the F1 veteran who’s working as an executive engineering consultant.
Sky Sports commentator David Croft approached Symonds in the F1 paddock to ask him directly about the Perez chatter. The Mexican is himself present in the 305.
However, a smiling Symonds insisted that was a pure coincidence. Croft believes he still faces competition, with Mercedes reserve Valtteri Bottas also on Cadillac’s radar.
“You are the man, Pat Symonds, who gives a straight answer to a straight question,” Croft said. “Is it a coincidence that Cadillac are having their big launch this weekend and Sergio Perez is in town. Or is that planned?”
“Absolutely,” Symonds replied before walking away.
Croft then added: “In all seriousness, I’m told there are about eight drivers on the list. Sergio Perez might be one of them. The fact that he’s here doesn’t surprise me, because Sergio Perez is a man we’ve missed at a race track who we want to see back at a racetrack.
“But Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, Jak Crawford has been mentioned too… there are a lot of drivers coveting that seat.”
Why Sergio Perez isn’t ready to sign a Cadillac F1 contract yet
Perez recently signed a lucrative commercial deal with Heineken, which makes him even more appealing. He was already one of the most heavily backed drivers on the grid.
Cadillac have insisted they’ll choose their drivers on merit, but even though Perez was poor last season, he has a clear edge on most of the candidates. Only Bottas can compete with his experience levels and success rate.
According to F1TV’s Lawrence Barretto, an agreement between Perez and Cadillac isn’t done yet. The former Monaco GP winner is still speaking to multiple teams.
One of those alternatives could be Alpine. Pierre Gasly is under contract for next year, but there’s significant uncertainty over Jack Doohan in the second seat.
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