Could Sergio Perez be on the verge of a sensational comeback to the Formula 1 grid? Just months after being ousted from his seat at Red Bull Racing at the conclusion of last season, the Mexican driver is reportedly being heavily linked with a drive for the incoming Cadillac team in 2026.
The Formula 1 driver market has already witnessed significant early movement, with Red Bull unexpectedly finding themselves at the center of it. Perez’s departure from the Milton Keynes outfit paved the way for Liam Lawson, but the young New Zealander’s tenure with the senior team proved short-lived, lasting only two race weekends. Lawson struggled to extract pace from the RB21, leading to a swift promotion for Yuki Tsunoda ahead of his home race in Japan.
Interestingly, the struggles of both Lawson and Tsunoda to consistently match the pace of Max Verstappen have led some to reconsider their opinions on Perez’s performance during his latter period at Red Bull. The fact that even highly-rated replacements have faced similar challenges has subtly shifted the narrative around the experienced Mexican driver.
Now, a potential lifeline appears to be emerging for the six-time Grand Prix winner. The arrival of General Motors’ Cadillac as the eleventh team on the Formula 1 grid in 2026 has ignited speculation about their driver lineup, and Perez’s name has been consistently mentioned in connection with the American outfit.
A recent report from Swiss news outlet Blick has added significant fuel to this fire. They suggest that the “door is opening again” for Perez to return to Formula 1 with Cadillac, stating that he is “set to drive” for the new team next season. This would mark a swift and potentially lucrative return to the sport for the experienced driver.
Adding another layer to the speculation, Perez has recently signed a “lucrative contract” with Heineken 0.0, a prominent sponsor within Formula 1. While this sponsorship deal isn’t directly tied to a potential drive, it certainly keeps Perez within the F1 orbit and enhances his profile, potentially making him a more attractive prospect for a new team like Cadillac seeking established names.
Perez’s Perspective and Tsunoda Connection:
Having been forced to the sidelines for the 2025 season, Perez has had the opportunity to take a step back and carefully evaluate his future in motorsport. Despite not being on the grid this year, he has remained closely connected to Formula 1, even offering advice to Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese driver’s Red Bull debut – a team where Perez himself experienced the most challenging period of his F1 career.
Intriguingly, Tsunoda has also been linked with a potential seat at Cadillac, as his current contract with Red Bull expires at the end of the 2025 season. While it seems less likely given the current reports favoring Perez, the possibility of the former Red Bull teammates joining forces at the new American team cannot be entirely ruled out.
The significant regulation changes slated for the 2026 Formula 1 season could also work in Perez’s favor. After a year away from driving the current generation of cars, the completely redesigned machinery might level the playing field somewhat, reducing any potential disadvantage he might face compared to drivers who have been actively competing in 2025.
Ultimately, Perez will be eager to finalize his plans for 2026 as soon as possible, allowing him ample time to prepare for what could be a highly anticipated comeback with the ambitious Cadillac project. The prospect of a seasoned race winner like Perez leading an all-new American team into the future of Formula 1 is undoubtedly an appealing narrative for both fans and the sport itself.
Additional Information on Cadillac’s F1 Entry:
General Motors’ Cadillac has been granted approval by the FIA to join the Formula 1 grid as an engine supplier and constructor from the 2028 season, partnering with Andretti Global. However, there is a strong indication that they are aiming for an earlier entry in 2026, potentially through an acquisition or strategic partnership.
Cadillac’s commitment to Formula 1 is significant, representing a major push by a prominent American automotive manufacturer into the global motorsport arena.
Their ambition is not just to participate but to be competitive from the outset, and securing experienced drivers like Perez would be a crucial step in achieving that goal. The combination of a well-funded American team and a proven race winner like Perez could generate significant interest and support for the sport in the United States and globally.