Sergio Perez is weighing his future as Cadillac’s F1 project for 2026 opens the door to a potential comeback on the grid.
The Mexican driver has given himself six months to decide whether he wants to return to Formula 1—and where that next chapter might begin.
His recent stint at Red Bull Racing didn’t leave a lasting impression, but surprisingly, his stock is rising again. Why? Because of the early struggles from rookie Liam Lawson in the RB21—Red Bull’s latest machine. And if Yuki Tsunoda also finds it hard to handle a car clearly built around Max Verstappen’s aggressive style, Perez’s past performances could look a lot better in retrospect.
Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko has reportedly reached out to Perez in recent days. Testing the waters? Keeping doors open? Possibly both.
For his part, Perez is taking a thoughtful approach to his future in motorsport.
“I’ve given myself six months,” Perez told media. “That’s the time I need to explore my options and decide what the next chapter in my career will look like. Doors are open in many areas. Right now, I have the luxury of choosing what I want to do.”
“This next step is important, so I want to give myself the space and clarity to make the right decision.”
Cadillac F1 Shows Interest
One of those open doors? Cadillac’s new F1 team, set to join the grid in 2026.
Mario Andretti, a key advisor to the American outfit, confirmed to ESPN that Perez is firmly on their radar.
“Perez? He’s an option—absolutely,” said Andretti. “You know, Liam Lawson’s performance is actually helping Checo’s case. Suddenly, he doesn’t look so bad in comparison.”
“And Tsunoda? Honestly, I thought he deserved that seat over Lawson. But hey, I’m not the one making those calls. Time will tell.”
Andretti also hinted that Cadillac is looking for a strong veteran presence to pair with what could be an American driver in the second seat.
“The second seat will almost certainly go to an experienced driver—someone proven. And it’s no secret who might be available.”
He wouldn’t name names, but Valtteri Bottas, Guanyu Zhou, and Perez are all believed to be on the shortlist.
“You just look around the paddock. It’s not hard to see who brings experience—and experience matters,” Andretti added. “We’re thinking a lot about this. I’ll have some influence, but I’m not the final decision-maker.”
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Checo Weighs F1 Return Amid Cadillac Interest
Checo Weighs F1 Return Amid Cadillac Interest
