Sergio Perez’s extremely anticipated return to the Components 1 grid hasn’t precisely gone to plan. Now, simply over midway by the 2026 season, the Mexican veteran is reportedly already on the lookout for an exit technique—and his administration workforce has their sights set on Williams.
In response to a latest report from Autosport, Perez’s administration has held preliminary talks with the Grove-based squad. Whereas the state of affairs is fluid, the report notes that a gap at Williams is completely depending on what Carlos Sainz decides to do concerning his personal future.
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However to know why Perez is likely to be seeking to leap ship, you want solely have a look at the present state of his workforce.
When Cadillac entered the game because the eleventh workforce for 2026, they opted for an skilled lineup by signing Perez—who had beforehand parted methods with Pink Bull on the finish of 2024—and Valtteri Bottas. Nonetheless, the inaugural season for the American outfit has been an absolute nightmare. The workforce has failed to attain a single level, and throughout the primary 11 Grands Prix, Perez has suffered a staggering 4 DNFs.
Given the huge reliability points and lack of tempo from Cadillac’s MAC-26 chassis, it makes excellent sense that Perez’s camp is actively placing feelers out throughout the paddock to safe a extra aggressive seat for 2027.
The Carlos Sainz Domino
Nonetheless, Perez’s potential lifeline at Williams hinges fully on Carlos Sainz.
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Sainz joined Williams for the 2025 season and delivered a powerful marketing campaign, securing two podiums and serving to the workforce end fifth within the Constructors’ Championship. However the 2026 season has been an enormous actuality examine. The FW48 arrived late, chubby, and woefully off the tempo. Williams workforce principal James Vowles has already admitted that 2026 is basically a write-off due to unfixable dealing with traits, noting that the workforce is shifting its main focus towards 2027.
Carlos Sainz
Could 21, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Williams driver Carlos Sainz (55) arrives to the paddock space at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Necessary Credit score: David Kirouac-Imagn Pictures
Crucially, Sainz is just formally contracted to stay at Williams till “at the very least the top of the 2026 season”. With the workforce’s present efficiency hunch proving to be “a foul 12 months” for the Spanish driver, he is likely to be evaluating different choices up and down the grid.
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If Sainz decides he does not need to stick round for Vowles’ long-term rebuild and vacates his seat, Williams will instantly want a confirmed, skilled driver to step into the hole.
For now, the state of affairs at Williams is being “carefully monitored” by Perez’s camp. If the dominoes fall excellent, we may see Perez buying and selling his Cadillac race go well with for Williams blue subsequent 12 months.
