Sergio Perez has now set out his requirements to return to Formula 1 in 2026 amid the Mexican holding talks with Cadillac about a possible drive at the General Motors team.
F1 will expand to an 11-car field next season after Formula 1 finally gave General Motors the green light to field a works team via its Cadillac brand this March. Two more seats becoming available also increases the possibility of Perez making a return after being axed by Red Bull.
Red Bull terminated Perez’s contract in December after costing the Milton Keynes crew their defence of the F1 constructors’ championship. He had a miserable year to take just eighth in the drivers’ standings with 152 points as teammate Max Verstappen lifted the title with 437.
Costing them the teams’ title was the last straw for Red Bull as Perez failed to finish a Grand Prix higher than sixth from round seven of the 24. But his experience after winning six of his 285 Grand Prix entries (281 starts) makes Perez a target for many teams including Cadillac.
Sergio Perez will only consider an F1 comeback if he feels valued amid Cadillac talks
Perez has discussed his stance on returning to Formula 1 with Lawrence Barretto, who notes that Cadillac have the Mexican high on their driver shortlist. Talks have also started between the American automotive giants and the 35-year-old as Cadillac prepare to debut next term.
READ MORE: Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname
| Category | Sergio Perez | Max Verstappen |
| 2024 points | 152 | 437 |
| Grand Prix results | 1 | 23 |
| Grand Prix qualifying | 1 | 23 |
| Grand Prix wins | 0 | 9 |
| Grand Prix poles | 0 | 8 |
| Grand Prix podiums | 4 | 14 |
| Best finish | 2nd | 1st |
| Retirements | 4 | 1 |
| Retirements (classified finish) | 1 | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 1 | 3 |
| Grand Prix points finishes | 16 | 23 |
| Sprint results | 0 | 6 |
| Sprint Qualifying | 0 | 6 |
| Sprint wins | 0 | 4 |
| Sprint poles | 0 | 4 |
| Sprint podiums | 2 | 4 |
Signing Perez could be hugely beneficial for Cadillac to draw on a CV that features 10 years in F1’s midfield for Sauber, McLaren and Force India plus four at the front with Red Bull. But Perez also sees other ‘very interesting’ options in F1 he will consider if made to feel valued.
“If I find a project that motivates me fully to come back, where the team believe in me and where they appreciate my career – my experience and everything I can bring to a team – it would be very attractive to consider it,” Perez said.
“That’s why I’ve given myself at least six months to get all my options on the table and make a decision on what I do next with my career. There are a few very interesting projects out there [and] I’ve been approached by a few teams since Abu Dhabi.”
Sergio Perez could fight Valtteri Bottas to join Cadillac on the 2026 F1 grid
Perez is not the only driver to have held talks with General Motors’ entry ahead of the team debuting in 2026 as Mercedes reserve Valtteri Bottas has already held talks with Cadillac, as well. They are likely fighting for the experienced seat in Cadillac’s ranks beside an American.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
The GM entry wants at least one experienced driver and an American has also long been an objective for their line-up. So, Cadillac may have a choice on their hands between Perez and Bottas to lead their debut next season should they make an appealing offer to both drivers.
While Bottas is holding out for Cadillac before deciding on his 2026 F1 return plans, the Finn like Perez will want to feel valued to accept their offer. There will also be a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Cadillac project as they build their first car for F1’s 2026 regulation changes.
