Sergio Perez may be close to F1 return after Red Bull exit: reports

Two months after leaving Red Bull Racing following a disappointing 2024 campaign, Sergio Perez is working toward a return to Formula 1 with Cadillac, per Spanish media outlet Marca.

Perez, 35, a six-time Grand Prix winner, has been in talks with Cadillac to join the team in 2026 on a full-time basis, per the report.

Cadillac recently agreed to a deal with General Motors for its entry into F1. Unable to produce its engines until 2028, Cadillac is said to be in talks with Ferrari to buy a customer engine.

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According to Marca, Cadillac — which will be the 11th team to join the grid — has made hiring a veteran driver a “priority.”

In 2024, Perez finished 224 points behind teammate and champion Max Verstappen, which prevented the duo from winning the Constructors’ Championship. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri won that title for McLaren.

Perez — who competed from 2011-24 with McLaren, Racing Point and Red Bull — has not won on the F1 circuit in nearly two years. Verstappen has bested Perez the past four seasons and won four world championship titles. Red Bull replaced Perez with Liam Lawson for the 2025 season.