Because the Cadillac Method 1 workforce gears up for a primary public announcement on the Miami Grand Prix, rumours round Sergio Perez’s comeback are growing. Would the Mexican be decide for the American workforce?
Opposite to experiences in Germany, Motorsport.com understands Perez to Cadillac will not be a executed deal simply but, with 2026’s new entrant considered one of a number of choices he’s nonetheless holding conversations with. However, with preparations for Cadillac’s F1 debut in full swing, it could make sense for the collection’ eleventh workforce to start out nailing down its driver line-up by the summer season because it ramps up its 2026 automotive efforts at its ever-expanding Silverstone base.
Does Perez make sense for Cadillac?
Talking to Motorsport.com on the Bahrain Grand Prix, Cadillac workforce boss Graeme Lowdon acknowledged his squad is out of sync with the remainder of the paddock. By the point Cadillac and GM formally acquired approval to press forward, over November’s Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, most 2026 seats had already been stuffed, with lots of groups preferring continuity between their 2025 and 2026 driver line-ups to clean the introduction of the all-new technical laws.
However the variety of rookies on the grid this yr does imply there are a number of skilled fingers out there who could be an enormous asset to any start-up workforce. Former Crimson Bull racer Perez has been close to the highest of Cadillac’s checklist for some time – and so he must be.
Aged 35, with 281 grand prix begins to his identify, Perez has prime workforce data that will be an enormous asset to Lowdon’s operation. Sure, there’s the matter of the Mexican’s ignominious Crimson Bull exit, however he’s removed from the one driver to have struggled alongside Max Verstappen. One troublesome stint does not negate the remainder of his respectable profession, together with six wins, considered one of which was with Racing Level.
Commercially, Perez can be one of the crucial enticing names out there, bringing vital backing from Mexican communications mogul Carlos Slim. It will even be a shot within the arm for the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, which has just lately introduced a three-year contract extension no matter Perez’s F1 future. Other than direct Mexican backing, having a high-profile Mexican driver in considered one of its seats would clearly even be useful to Cadillac and Normal Motors as a North American model.
Cadillac emblem
Photograph by: Cadillac Communications
Does a Cadillac F1 return make sense for Perez?
Perez clearly struggled in the direction of the tip of his Milton Keynes stint, however drivers remember easy methods to drive. The Guadalajara native has now been in a position to take a break to rebuild and reinvigorate himself. However does that imply a Cadillac F1 return would make sense to him?
“When you step again, you realise how a lot you hand over in life to be within the sport, so to be in F1 absolutely dedicated I want the motivation,” Perez advised the F1 web site earlier this yr. “If I discover a venture that motivates me absolutely to return again, the place the workforce consider in me and the place they recognize my profession, my expertise and every thing I can convey to a workforce, it could be very enticing to think about it.”
Like all of us, Perez needs to really feel valued by whoever courts him, as an integral pillar of the programme reasonably than a stop-gap answer till a extra fancied prospect turns into out there in 2027. Cadillac could effectively present that, however there are nonetheless zero ensures over how ready the brand new entrant can be in 2026. Beginning a brand new workforce from scratch is a big endeavor, and it is not exhausting to think about the squad languishing in the direction of the again for the primary couple of seasons.
Is that the kind of comeback Perez would really feel motivated to commerce in his household life for and embark on one other F1 stint with 24-race seasons? That could be a query solely Perez can reply, and there are reportedly nonetheless different choices on the desk from extra established groups that will carry much less threat.
Who else may Cadillac signal?
Within the skilled lead driver class, Perez would face competitors from Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas. The Finn has repeatedly mentioned he’s angling to return to the grid in 2026 and that being a part of Cadillac’s venture is of curiosity to him. Bottas has an analogous profile by way of race begins (246) and wins (10) and, whereas he’s commercially much less fascinating than Perez, he has an incredible repute within the paddock for his technical expertise.
Cadillac’s F1 workforce, which is a part of Andretti World’s empire, additionally has a mission to convey an American driver onto the grid. The workforce’s personal IndyCar ace Colton Herta has been urged as a attainable candidate, in addition to Aston Martin junior and F2 driver Jak Crawford. However, whereas Cadillac’s 2026 driver line-up has typically been introduced as an American rookie paired with an skilled “foreigner” – for lack of a greater phrase – Lowdon has hinted that the workforce could not essentially go the American route from yr one.
“We’ll choose drivers on benefit,” he advised Motorsport.com. “Having a driver on benefit doesn’t suggest you’ll be able to’t have an American passport as effectively. But additionally, you’ll be able to’t simply choose an F1 workforce on what they’re doing this yr or subsequent yr. The workforce’s right here to remain.
“I feel the followers would like to see an American driver in an American workforce. There’s nothing stopping that from taking place, however we have simply received to go forward and choose on benefit and construct a workforce, as a result of there are a couple of very skilled drivers out there.”
So, if Cadillac feels it’s in its finest pursuits to construct up a workforce with two revered F1 veterans, it could effectively take each Perez and Bottas for the primary few years till it’s firmly settled and an American prospect it can’t overlook is able to go.
Photographs from Miami GP – Thursday
On this article
Filip Cleeren
Method 1
Sergio Perez
Cadillac Racing
Be the primary to know and subscribe for real-time information e-mail updates on these subjects
Subscribe to information alerts
