Sergio Perez is eyeing a return to the Formula 1 grid in 2026. The Mexican is in talks to race with newcomers Cadillac.
Perez is off the F1 grid for 2025 after parting ways with Red Bull in the winter. The 35-year-old was let go by the Milton Keynes-based outfit after a torrid 2024 campaign.
While teammate Max Verstappen won nine races and his fourth consecutive title, Perez did not finish in the top five after Miami. He finished the year eighth in the standings with more than half the points of the Dutchman.
His woeful form proved costly for Red Bull in the constructors’ championship as they finished third behind McLaren and Ferrari. The team had given Perez a new two-year deal in June to calm his nerves – things only got worse as he continued to struggle with the Red Bull machine.
| Season | Races | Wins | Poles | FL | Podiums | Points | Pos. |
| 2021 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 190 | 4th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 305 | 3rd |
| 2023 | 22 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 285 | 2nd |
| 2024 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 152 | 8th |
Red Bull opted to sign Liam Lawson as his replacement for 2025 – who they have now dropped ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix for Yuki Tsunoda. As he spends this season on the sidelines, Perez is looking to make a comeback in 2026.
Cadillac is Perez’s preferred route back to F1 as the American brand are set to become the 11th team on the grid next year. It will mark the first time 22 cars have been in F1 since 2016.
Sergio Perez’s talks with Cadillac are ‘progressing’ but the ‘right terms’ still have to be agreed
Perez’s sponsors are in talks with Cadillac over a potential deal for 2026. The exact details are unknown, but the Mexican is now seemingly the firm favourite to race for the team.
The 35-year-old would bring a wealth of experience to the American outfit with 14 seasons in F1 under his belt. In that time, he has collected six wins, three pole positions and 39 podiums.
While his time at top teams McLaren and Red Bull left something to be desired, his performances in the midfield with Sauber, Force India and Racing Point with be hugely attractive for Cadillac. Not to mention, Perez will have huge commercial value given his financial backing and fanbase in North America.
| Season | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | FL | Podiums | Points | Pos. |
| 2011 | Sauber F1 Team | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 16th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Sauber F1 Team | 20 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 66 | 10th |
| 2013 | Vodafone McLaren Mercedes | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 49 | 11th |
| 2014 | Sahara Force India F1 Team | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 59 | 10th |
| 2015 | Sahara Force India F1 Team | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 78 | 9th |
| 2016 | Sahara Force India F1 Team | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 101 | 7th |
| 2017 | Sahara Force India F1 Team | 20 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 7th |
| 2018 | Sahara Force India F1 Team | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 62 | 8th |
| Racing Point Force India F1 Team | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2019 | SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 10th |
| 2020 | BWT Racing Point F1 Team | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 125 | 4th |
According to a report from The Times, Cadillac’s talks with the Mexican are ‘progressing well.’ Perez is open to joining the team, but the ‘right terms’ still have to be agreed.
His salary and the length of the contract will likely be the stumbling blocks the team have to iron out. Perez will only return to F1 if he feels valued by the team – Cadillac will have to ensure they can do that to land his signature.
READ MORE: Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname
Sergio Perez is the favourite to race for Cadillac – who could join him in 2026?
Perez is the most heavy-linked driver to Cadillac at this stage. However, the team also have another seat to fill, with several candidates in the running.
Mario Andretti wants an American driver next to an experienced head – Perez fitting the latter category. Colton Herta has been constantly mentioned in rumours regarding Cadillac’s 2026 drivers, but obtaining a superlicense for the IndyCar star could be an issue.
Cadillac could fight McLaren to sign Pato O’Ward for 2026. The Mexican has had previous experience driving F1 machinery with the Woking-based outfit, who do not have a seat for him until at least 2028.
Valtteri Bottas has been in talks with Cadillac over a potential seat, with him serving as Mercedes’ reserve driver in 2025. Former Sauber teammate and Ferrari reserve driver Zhou Guanyu has also been linked – the pair having one up on Perez by remaining in F1 in some capacity in 2025.
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