Sergio Perez vacated his Red Bull seat at the conclusion of the 2024 Formula 1 season, but is the Mexican driver to make a comeback? Recent comments by one of his long-time sponsors suggest the possibility that he would return to racing, particularly regarding the new Cadillac F1 team.
Perez’s departure from Red Bull came as a slight surprise. Initially, he had negotiated an extension with the team early in the season, one that would have seen him at the wheel of a Red Bull for 2025, and given an option for a follow-up for 2026. Perez had consistently been a stalwart and capable team member, regularly giving backing to his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen, and working toward Red Bull’s Constructors’ Championship success. Aside from his driving ability, Perez also contributed a large amount of sponsorship money, which made him an important member of the team.
Nonetheless, even with his good relationship with the team, the 2024 season was not easy for Perez. The new RB20 car was hard for him to get used to, and although Verstappen continued to dominate the championship, Perez could not keep up, lagging behind rivals such as McLaren’s Lando Norris. By mid-season, there were rumors that he might not continue with Red Bull and ultimately the team decided to end his services at the end of the 2024 season.
Although he left Red Bull, Perez’s Formula 1 career might not be finished yet. One of his major sponsors, Escuderia Telmex—backed by billionaire entrepreneur Carlos Slim—has been negotiating with various teams, including the new Cadillac F1 team. Jimmy Morales, the boss of Escuderia Telmex, confirmed that the company had been negotiating with different teams, evaluating their strategy and whether they could provide a seat for Perez.
“We talked to everyone and started to see their plans and if they have any room for Checo,” Morales said. “The important thing is that he’s interested. It’s peace of mind, the ability to focus on your work. There are many things to consider in order to perform at your best. That’s what we’re looking for for Checo.”
Morales also explained that Perez had been getting more and more “uncomfortable” at Red Bull, though he was keen to keep racing in Formula 1. But Perez didn’t make any rash decisions, since the 2025 grid was already taken when Red Bull officially dropped him towards the end of 2024.
At the age of 35, Perez is not rushing back to Formula 1 for the sake of driving. In Morales’ opinion, “Checo doesn’t have to go back racing, he has already done what he had to do in his career. But if he does, it will be on his own terms. He is very competitive, we just have to present him with a project he likes and where he can go back and be brilliant.”
Cadillac, which will become an F1 grid member, might be the perfect chance for Perez. The American outfit has shown interest in acquiring a driver with plenty of Formula 1 experience to guide them through their first season. Perez might just be that veteran driver, given that his background boasts both solid performances and excellent feedback-giving skills to teams throughout the process of developing a car.
In addition, Perez’s heavy sponsorship backing and his North American connections could make him an appealing candidate for Cadillac. The team might consider him a good substitute in case a possible U.S. driver does not qualify for the team roster. The additional sponsorship value that Perez would bring would certainly benefit the team as it goes through the transition to the sport.
The chance for Perez to join Cadillac exists, but it is impossible to confirm. While Perez has had several sponsors consider a proposal for him to race for them in the next stage of his career, it seems that things are beginning to fall into place for a potential return. Perez could shortly be back on the grid in Formula 1 and be able to showcase his talent once more if the right proposition materializes.