The stunning demotion of Liam Lawson from a seat at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen to a return to Visa Cash App Racing Bull sent shockwaves through Formula 1. The move also opened the door to a promotion for Yuki Tsunoda to Red Bull, and the veteran driver will realize his longtime dream of driving for the senior team at his home race, the Japanese Grand Prix, this weekend.
Has another door opened as well? One that sees Sergio Pérez return to the grid?
According to a new report from The Times, the veteran driver is in “advanced talks” to make a return to F1 with the new Cadillac team, that will become the 11th team on the grid in 2026. As stated in The Times Pérez “could return as Cadillac explore their driver options, bringing his significant experience to the new American constructor. Financial details must be ironed out and a contract is not yet signed, but sources suggest talks are progressing well and Pérez would be open to joining if the right terms can be agreed.”
The report comes days after Pérez sat down with Lawrence Barretto on the official F1 channel, and the two discussed a potential return to the grid after his departure from Red Bull. As stated by the driver, the right project would be very “attractive” to him.
“If I find a project that motivates me fully to come back, where the team believe in me and appreciate my career, my experience and everything I can bring to a team, it would be very attractive,” said Pérez to the official F1 channel.
“That’s why I’ve given myself at least six months to get all my options on the table and make a decision on what I do next with my career.
“There are a few very interesting projects out there. I’ve been approached by a few teams since Abu Dhabi. Right now, the season has started so a few things will open up in the coming months.”
Pérez also indicated to Barretto that he has been in talks with a “few parties” about a return to the grid, but again stressed the need to find a project that he can “enjoy” if he returns to the sport.
“We are talking to a few parties out there. Once I know all my options, I will make a decision. What is very clear to me is that I’m only coming back if the project makes sense, and it’s something I can enjoy,” said Pérez.
“I’ve spent a long time in F1 already, I’ve done most of it. Once you step back, you realise how much you give up in life to be in the sport. So, to be in F1 fully committed, I need the motivation.”
Pérez then spoke of the interest in him as a driver, something that is coming into focus given the current situation at Red Bull.
“It’s good to be in this position knowing that people are keen on you as a drive. People have short memories in F1,” added the Mexican driver.
“Within a couple of races, they forget what you have done. People realise that my position was not the easiest one in F1 – and I’ve done extremely well overall.”
To that point, Lawson’s demotion and Red Bull’s struggles with the RB21 have raised the issue of whether Pérez’s own struggles last season — after a third-place finish at the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix Pérez did not see the podium for the rest of the season — were more a function of the driver, or the machinery.
Speaking with Sky Sports F1 ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix Red Bull boss Christian Horner discussed the trouble the team has endured with the RB21. “We’ve got work to do with the car,” Horner said. “We need to improve the car. We need to draw on the experience that Yuki has.”
The team’s struggles with the RB21 put Pérez’s performance down the stretch in 2024 in a completely new light, and this context may only help his case for a return to the grid.
Whether such a return happens, and with Cadillac, remains to be seen.
