Sergio Perez may not be on the Formula 1 grid in 2025, but that doesn’t necessarily mean his career in the series is over.
After four seasons racing for Red Bull, team principal Christian Horner alongside the team’s shareholders decided a change was needed after a disappointing 2024 campaign.
Max Verstappen managed to secure a fourth consecutive title, but the Constructors’ Championship slipped from Red Bull’s grasp.
Sergio Perez finished 285 points behind Verstappen, failing to finish the last two races and missing out on a podium finish in his final 19 Grand Prix for the team.
Red Bull confirmed Perez’s exit after a post-season test in Abu Dhabi, promoting Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson in his place.
There was plenty of disruption in the F1 driver’s market in 2024 and Perez’s departure capped off a year of change that will see the grid looking very different next season.
However, not as different as it will look in 2026 when Sauber take over from Audi and Cadillac make their Formula 1 debut.
A report from the Mexican outlet Record MX has shared more details about Perez’s future.
They think the 34-year-old now has a preferred option for returning to Formula 1 in the future.
Cadillac is Sergio Perez’s ‘preferred’ choice to return to Formula 1 in 2026
The report from Record MX suggests that Perez’s father doesn’t think his son has said goodbye to Formula 1 forever.
His hope ‘remains alive’ to return to F1 in 12 months, particularly with how many rookies are on the grid and the pressure that will immediately be placed on them to succeed.
They believe that Perez’s ‘preferred’ choice appears to be Cadillac who will be F1’s 11th team in 2026.
Valtteri Bottas has already held early talks with Cadillac, and with two vacant seats, they’re going to be linked with a lot of drivers.
Cadillac are said to want an experienced driver and a youngster, with Perez one of the most successful old heads not on the grid next year.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
Horner ruled out Perez racing for Racing Bulls, but the report suggests that he and Helmut Marko think he could come back to F1 one day.
Alpine was also an option according to the report, with Jack Doohan supposedly only having a short-team deal that ends during the 2025 season.
The final option potentially available to Perez for 2026 is Audi.
They believe that they could ‘bet’ on two veterans – placing Perez with Nico Hulkenberg – or two South Americans – pairing him with Gabriel Bortoleto.
Cadillac would be the perfect option for Sergio Perez to return to F1
There are far fewer contracts running out in 2025 than there were heading into this winter, meaning Perez is likely to have fewer options available to him.
However, as Perez will attest to, sometimes contracts in Formula 1 aren’t always fulfilled.
Cadillac will want to capitalise on a growing fanbase in North America and Perez is the most popular driver in the region.
READ MORE: Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname
Perez would also bring vast amounts of sponsorship to the team, something Red Bull had to weigh up before releasing him.
There will be question marks for new Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon about whether Perez is still fast enough to justify a place in F1 given his capitulation this season.
His experience would be very useful to a team that may lack F1 acumen but his motivation to return to the series is also likely to be key to any deal being done.
