Marko: Pérez has “good chances” with this team – Sergio Pérez’s Formula One career may not be over yet. Just a few months after his high-profile departure from Red Bull Racing, the Mexican driver has revealed that multiple opportunities for a return to the grid are currently under discussion. Of these, one possibility has gained particular momentum: the new American F1 outfit backed by General Motors and Cadillac.

In a twist that combines ambition, nostalgia and unfinished business, Pérez is carefully weighing up his options, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko expressing surprising confidence in one possible route.

 

Pérez hints at quick return to the grid

In a recent interview with the official Formula One website, Pérez opened up about his plans and confirmed for the first time that a comeback could be on the horizon, perhaps as soon as 2026 when Cadillac is expected to join the grid. While no final decision has been made, the 35-year-old made it clear that he is actively involved in the discussions.

“I’ve given myself six months to see what’s out there,” said Pérez. “There are some interesting projects. Since Abu Dhabi I’ve been contacted by several teams.”

Although he stopped short of naming all those who have approached him, he did admit that Cadillac – the much-anticipated new team that plans to enter F1 in partnership with Andretti Global – is one of the more serious contenders.

“It’s a possibility,” he admitted, while stressing that no decision will be made until he has a full picture of his options.

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Helmut Marko backs Cadillac option for Pérez

Long-time Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who oversaw Pérez’s final days with the team, has given an unexpectedly positive assessment of the situation. In an interview with RTL/ntv and sport.de, Marko revealed that he had spoken to Pérez recently, although the subject didn’t exactly relate to racing.

“We just talked about tequila,” said Marko with a smile. “He seems to be enjoying life at the moment.”

But then, with a more serious tone, he acknowledged that Cadillac represents a very real and viable option for the Mexican driver.

“I think he has a very good chance with Cadillac,” said Marko. Coming from the man who was instrumental in Pérez’s departure from Red Bull, the statement carries considerable weight.

Cadillac, which has faced opposition to its entry from the existing F1 teams, has insisted on putting together a competitive package backed by American engineering and global branding. The presence of an experienced and marketable driver like Pérez – fluent in English and Spanish and well-known in North and Latin America – could be a key ingredient in winning over sceptics and establishing credibility in the paddock.

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“Not at any price”: Pérez sets terms for return

While some drivers might jump at the first opportunity to return to the F1 spotlight, Pérez has made it clear that he will not settle for just any seat. His comeback, if it happens, must be in line with his vision of meaningful competition and personal fulfilment.

“It’s clear to me that I will only come back if the project makes sense and is something I can enjoy,” Pérez insisted.

His short time away from racing has given him a new perspective on what is most important. “Being away has shown me what I’ve missed in normal life. That’s why I need the motivation to give my all to F1.”

It’s a sentiment that suggests Pérez is not desperate, but rather deliberate. He wants to return on his own terms and only when the conditions are right, both technically and personally.

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Shock of Red Bull exit still lingers

Despite looking forward, Pérez didn’t shy away from reflecting on the abrupt end of his tenure at Red Bull Racing – a partnership that delivered wins, podiums and more than its fair share of tension. Speaking candidly about how it all unravelled, Pérez described the termination of his contract as something he didn’t see coming until very late in the 2024 season.

“It all happened very late in the season. I didn’t really expect it to happen,” he revealed. “It only became clearer when we were in Qatar.”

It was then that the discussions began in earnest, ultimately leading to his departure from one of the most coveted seats in motorsport.

“It all happened very quickly,” he added. And with that, a chapter came to an end – but perhaps not the story itself.

Pérez’s departure from Red Bull has been marked by speculation and internal politics. Despite consistent support from a section of the fanbase and his early strong results, the latter part of the 2024 season saw growing frustration within the team, particularly with his qualifying performances and inability to match the pace of teammate Max Verstappen. However, the speed with which Red Bull moved to replace him surprised many, including Pérez.

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Cadillac’s entry and what it could mean for Pérez

Should Cadillac’s bid to join Formula 1 be approved – a process still subject to evaluation by the FIA and FOM – the team will need a driver who brings more than just speed. With limited testing opportunities and high expectations, Cadillac’s entry must be handled with a blend of racing intelligence, commercial awareness and public charisma. Pérez ticks many of these boxes.

He has more than a decade of Formula One experience, including stints with Sauber, McLaren, Force India, Racing Point and Red Bull. He has won races, defended under pressure, managed tyres like few others and brought home crucial points. His nationality also adds value as F1 grows in the Americas, particularly with races in Mexico City, Austin, Miami and now Las Vegas.

By pairing itself with a driver like Pérez, Cadillac could send a message that it intends to be more than just another backmarker team. It would be a statement of intent – one that combines American ambition with proven global experience.

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The waiting game: Will the timing work?

While it’s clear that Pérez is open to a return, the timing may ultimately determine whether this second act becomes a reality. With Cadillac’s entry not expected until 2026 at the earliest, Pérez would have to sit out another full season unless another team offered him a temporary seat in 2025 – something that hasn’t been ruled out.

“There are talks with some parties,” Pérez confirmed. “Once I know all my options, I’ll make a decision.”

Those options could include testing, ambassadorial duties or even media work in the interim. But whatever path he takes, Pérez wants it to be meaningful, not just a placeholder.

Sergio Pérez is at a unique crossroads in his career. At 35, with more than 250 Grand Prix under his belt, he no longer has to prove he belongs in F1 – but he clearly feels he’s got more to give. Whether it’s a comeback with Cadillac or something else entirely, one thing is certain: Checo isn’t quite ready to close the book on F1.

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For the first time since Adrian Newey joined Red Bull the year of its inception, the Milton Keynes based Formula One team have designed a car without input from the guru engineer. Having announced he was leaving Red Bull and taking a sabbatical, within weeks the call of team ownership and a huge dollop of cash and Newey was signed to Aston Martin.

Adrian had not been the technical director of Red Bull Racing since resigning the position back in 2018, when Frenchman Pierre Wache was placed in charge of the day to day technical operations of the team. Newey worked part time and gave input into design issues, as and when, which led to Christian Horner to emphasise on more than one occasion during their dominant 2023 campaign, that Newey was not purely responsible for creating and developing thre Red Bull F1 cars.

“Adrian is a big part of the team and our achieved performance. But of course his role has evolved over the years and the technical team under him, led by Pierre Wache, is doing a great job. They are not dependent on Adrian,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner to AMuS in 2023. “Adrian has the ability to come in, go out and work on other projects. I think that’s part of the evolution of any team.”… READ MORE ON THIS STORY