Sergio Perez ‘set to drive’ for one Formula 1 team in 2026 after signing ‘lucrative’ sponsorship contract

Sergio Perez might be about to make an immediate return to the Formula 1 paddock after losing his seat at Red Bull Racing at the end of last season.

The Formula 1 driver’s market has already sprung into action this year, and unsurprisingly, Red Bull were the team involved.

Sergio Perez discovered he had been replaced by Liam Lawson at the end of the 2024 campaign, but the New Zealander’s Red Bull career only lasted two race weekends.

Lawson struggled greatly with the RB21, and it was Yuki Tsunoda who was promoted into his place in time for his home race in Japan.

The Japanese driver finally ended Red Bull’s long wait for a double-points finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing ninth behind Max Verstappen, who could only secure a P6 result for the team.

People have started changing their minds about Perez after his difficult end to the 2024 campaign, after watching Lawson and Tsunoda struggle to match Verstappen’s pace.

It could lead to the Mexican making a return to the grid next season, with one seat looking particularly attractive to the six-time race winner.

READ MORE: Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname

Sergio Perez is ‘set to drive’ for Cadillac in 2026 after signing ‘lucrative’ sponsorship contract

Perez has been linked with Cadillac ever since they earned their place on the grid for the 2026 F1 season.

The American team are looking at plenty of drivers both in the F1 paddock and those racing in the United States as they look to hit the ground running alongside a new set of regulations in the sport.

A report from the Swiss outlet Blick has shared more details about Perez’s future.

They believe that the ‘door is opening again’ for the Mexican driver to return to Formula 1 with Cadillac, and they suggest that he is ‘set to drive’ for the sport’s 11th team next season.

Alongside this, Perez has just signed a ‘lucrative contract’ with Heineken 0.0, who are also big sponsors of F1.

While that won’t necessarily be connected to any deal he signs with a potential team, it doesn’t harm his chances either.

READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers

Sergio Perez keeping a close eye on Formula 1 with Yuki Tsunoda comments

Perez lost his Red Bull seat too late in the day last year to earn another spot on the grid for 2025.

It’s allowed the 35-year-old to take a step back and analyse what he wants to do next season.

However, Perez gave some advice to Tsunoda ahead of his Red Bull debut, having lived through the most difficult portion of his F1 career with the team.

Tsunoda has also been linked with Cadillac, and although it seems unlikely right now, the Japanese driver could end up as his teammate at the new team with his Red Bull deal currently expiring at the end of the year.

Next year’s cars will be different enough from this year’s machine that Perez might not be at too much of a disadvantage after sitting out for a season.

But, he’ll want to know as quickly as possible what his 2026 plans are so he can start preparing for what could be a very popular comeback.