Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix weekend, speculation intensified regarding Sergio Pérez`s potential signing with the new Cadillac team, set to enter Formula 1 in 2026. However, reports indicate that Pérez has not yet finalized an agreement with any team and will not be unveiled as a Cadillac driver during the Miami event.
Pérez departed Red Bull Racing at the close of the 2024 season after a four-year period with the team. Liam Lawson was subsequently announced as his replacement.
Sources informed ESPN that Pérez has not been in Miami recently and does not plan to attend the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. Furthermore, he is not expected to be present at the Cadillac team launch event scheduled for Saturday evening, May 3rd, in the city.
According to sources, the recent wave of rumors stemmed from social media activity related to the location tracking of Pérez`s private jet, which is leased out when not in personal use.
Cadillac is indeed considered a potential option for the Mexican driver, who competed in Formula 1 from 2011 to 2024, racing for teams such as Sauber, McLaren, Force India, Racing Point, and spending his final four seasons with Red Bull.
Cadillac`s interest in Pérez as a candidate for their 2026 driver lineup was previously confirmed to ESPN by team advisor Mario Andretti during an interview on the ESPN Racing podcast several weeks prior.
However, Cadillac F1 team principal Graeme Lowdon recently mentioned having a selection of seven or eight drivers under consideration for the 2026 season.
Pérez`s current strategy, as shared in interviews with F1.com and other outlets, involves taking approximately six months before making a decision about his future.
During this break, the Mexican driver has been spending time with his family, attending sporting events and concerts, vacationing with his children at Disneyland, visiting beaches in Bermuda and Punta Mita, Nayarit, and generally experiencing a lifestyle he hadn`t had since moving to Europe at age 14 to pursue his Formula 1 aspirations.
Pérez is also observing potential changes within the F1 grid for 2026. While most drivers are under contract, a significant move, such as Max Verstappen deciding to leave Red Bull despite being contracted until 2028, could dramatically alter the driver market landscape.
A potential departure by the four-time world champion could trigger a series of driver changes, opening up opportunities beyond the two potential seats at Cadillac.
Aston Martin has been suggested as a possible destination for Verstappen. Even Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has expressed concerns that Verstappen might consider leaving the Milton Keynes team if the RB21 car proves insufficiently competitive against rivals like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
Pérez is keeping his options open, with Cadillac being a clear possibility. His representatives have reportedly explored other potential avenues with different teams, although it remains unspecified which teams or whether Julian Jakobi is still handling this phase of Pérez`s career.
Additionally, Formula1.Hu, a Hungarian website, recently published an interview with Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley, who served as Red Bull`s sporting director until 2024.
In the interview, Wheatley spoke positively about Pérez as a driver, praising his technical feedback to engineers and his resilience in overcoming challenges.
This interview doesn`t necessarily indicate Sauber`s interest in Pérez, as they already have two drivers under contract. However, it does help keep the Mexican driver`s name prominent, much like his exclusive interview with F1.com, which served as a clear signal that he is available and interested in returning.
Before it was confirmed that Red Bull would pay out his contract and replace him for 2025, Pérez had stated that he would only return to F1 if it were with a team capable of competing for points.
As a new entrant, Cadillac will face a period of adjustment, adaptation, and development. Expectations for their performance in 2026 will likely be set accordingly, understanding the challenges a new team faces.
Rupert Caldwell 
Tristan Blackwood