Speculation intensified regarding Sergio Pérez potentially joining the Cadillac F1 team, set to debut in 2026, ahead of the Miami Grand Prix weekend. However, sources confirm Pérez has not yet signed with any team and will not be announced as a Cadillac driver in Miami.
Pérez departed Red Bull at the close of the 2024 season after a four-year tenure, with Liam Lawson taking his place.
According to sources, Pérez has not been in Miami recently, has no plans to attend the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, and will not be present at the Cadillac team launch scheduled for Saturday evening, May 3rd, in the city.
Sources attribute the recent speculation to social media activity tracking the location of Pérez`s private plane, which is leased out when not in his personal use.
Cadillac remains a viable option for the Mexican driver, who had an extensive Formula 1 career from 2011 to 2024, racing for teams including Sauber, McLaren, Force India, Racing Point, and Red Bull.
Cadillac`s interest in Pérez as a potential candidate for their 2026 lineup was previously acknowledged by team advisor Mario Andretti in an interview.
However, Cadillac F1 team principal Graeme Lowdon recently stated he is considering a shortlist of seven or eight drivers for the 2026 season.
Pérez himself has publicly stated his intention to wait for six months before making a decision about his future.
During this sabbatical, Pérez has been enjoying time with his family, attending sporting events and concerts, vacationing with his children, visiting beaches, and generally experiencing a lifestyle different from the demanding one he had since moving to Europe at 14 to pursue F1.
Pérez is also monitoring potential shifts in the 2026 F1 grid. While most drivers are under contract, a significant move, such as Max Verstappen potentially leaving Red Bull (despite his contract until 2028), could dramatically alter the driver market.
Aston Martin is reportedly a potential destination for Verstappen, and even Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has voiced concerns that Verstappen might depart if the RB21 car isn`t competitive enough against rivals like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
Pérez is positioning himself for a return, with Cadillac as a prominent possibility. His management team has also explored options with other teams, though details regarding specific teams or whether Julian Jakobi is still handling his potential comeback are unclear.
Separately, a Hungarian website recently published an interview with Jonathan Wheatley, Red Bull`s sporting director until 2024, now Sauber team principal.
In the interview, Wheatley offered praise for Pérez as a driver, highlighting his valuable feedback to engineers and his ability to recover from setbacks.
This interview doesn`t imply Sauber`s interest, as they have drivers under contract, but it served to keep Pérez`s name in contention, much like his exclusive interview with F1.com, which was perceived as a clear signal of his desire to return.
Pérez had previously stated that he would only return to F1 if he could drive a car capable of competing for points.
As a new team, Cadillac will naturally require time to adapt and develop their car, meaning expectations for their competitiveness in 2026 will need to be realistic.
