Sergio Perez looks to be on his way back to the Formula 1 paddock next season, even though nothing is official just yet.
Perez has been out of sight since Red Bull parted ways with him at the end of the 2024 season, after a year that did not meet Christian Horner’s expectations.
Despite having a contract that could have kept him there until 2026, he was dropped right after the final race in Abu Dhabi.
Liam Lawson stepped in but lasted just two races before being replaced, and Yuki Tsunoda has had a tough time settling into the role since then.
Perez might soon get another shot at F1, with reports suggesting he will be part of Cadillac’s first driver line-up. Valtteri Bottas is expected to join him as teammate.
This comes after months of consideration from team principal Graeme Lowdon, who seems ready to give the Mexican driver an opportunity that Red Bull was not willing to give.
Sergio Perez closing in on three-year deal with Cadillac ahead of F1 return
Motorsport has reported additional details regarding negotiations between the 35-year-old driver and Cadillac for the upcoming season.
According to their information, there was still one topic that Perez wanted to address at length: the duration of his contract.
Perez is believed to have agreed to a deal that could extend up to three years, something Red Bull never offered him during his time there.
This move signals real confidence from Cadillac in the Mexican star, who would have the chance to anchor their line-up through the team’s early years in Formula 1.
Expectations around their entry into F1 are low enough that it could take all three seasons just for Perez to get them moving forward on track.
Cadillac’s expectations for their debut F1 season
According to the Motorsport report, Cadillac’s initial aim is to match the pace of midfield teams.
Perez brings relevant experience from his days with Force India, where he played a key role in the team’s rapid progress despite limited resources.
In their first year, Cadillac will use Ferrari power units while General Motors works on developing its own engines. Their early performance could depend heavily on how well Ferrari supports them behind the scenes.
With Haas also running Ferrari engines, they are expected to be Cadillac’s main point of comparison in their debut campaign.
Perez is expected to be announced before the Italian Grand Prix, allowing him to begin working in the simulator and to get involved in the car’s technical development.
It has also been indicated that Perez and Bottas will have equal status within Cadillac, something Perez never experienced alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
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