Sergio Pérez may be out for now, but his experience and grit could make him the perfect leader for Cadillac’s F1 debut.
Does Sergio Pérez still have a future in Formula 1? After a tough 2024 season alongside Max Verstappen and being released by Red Bull before his contract ended, many have started to doubt whether the Mexican driver will return to the grid.
But behind the scenes, Pérez is gaining attention again, especially from Cadillac F1, according to racing legend Mario Andretti. Pérez is expected to be in Miami and might even make a surprise appearance during Cadillac’s official team event on Saturday night.
One reason for the renewed interest is the inconsistent performance of Liam Lawson. While Yuki Tsunoda is showing he can close the gap to Verstappen more than Pérez did last season, Pérez’s stock is rising once again.
Jonathan Wheatley, former Sporting Director at Red Bull and now Team Principal at Sauber, believes Pérez still has what it takes to make a strong comeback in 2026.
“I believe he absolutely has the ability to return and quickly adapt to a new team,” he told Formula Hu.
“Checo had one of the toughest jobs in Formula 1 last year, being Max’s teammate. When you race next to someone like that, you’re constantly questioning yourself.”
“Looking back, I think he struggled more with the car than Max did, and we’re seeing others go through the same thing this year. But what’s always impressed me is Checo’s resilience. He has this ability to bounce back stronger every time.”
Wheatley also praised Pérez’s leadership and technical understanding — key traits for a team like Cadillac, which is starting from scratch.
“He really gets the technical side, and I’ve always found his feedback to engineers very clear and useful. He’s a true professional. He’s fast, experienced, and easy to work with.”
As for what could make or break his return in 2026, Wheatley says it comes down to mindset.
“In the end, it’s all about mental strength and self-belief. If a driver has confidence and stays mentally strong, they can take a break and still come back just as fast. That’s the key, it’s all in the mindset.”
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Why Pérez Could Be the Smart Gamble Cadillac Needs Now
Why Pérez Could Be the Smart Gamble Cadillac Needs Now
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