While the Red Bull tree is burning, Sergio Perez is negotiating with Cadillac about a return to Formula 1: Mario Andretti confirms the Mexican as a candidate
Will Sergio Perez end up being the laughing third in the whole Red Bull fuss surrounding Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda? While the young guard is obviously struggling with world champion Max Verstappen, and Lawson, at least, has performed significantly worse than the much-criticized Perez, the Mexican is currently enjoying his Formula 1 retirement in his home country.
But it doesn’t have to stay that way, because Perez could make his return to the premier class as early as 2026 – at least if Mario Andretti has his way: the US racing legend is an advisor to newcomer Cadillac, and revealed in a video interview with the Spanish edition of ESPN that Perez is indeed on the team’s list!
“The second cockpit will definitely be filled by an experienced driver who is available,” explains Andretti, before adding: ‘There are three realistic candidates. And no, I won’t reveal which ones.’ When asked whether Perez is among them, the 85-year-old finally lets slip: ‘He is an option. That could be an option, of course.’
Perez: “I have the freedom to decide”
In line with this, Perez himself revealed in another video interview on Friday that several doors are currently open to him – without going into specifics, however: “There are many possibilities,” said Perez, who explained: “I have the freedom to decide what I want to do with my career, because what comes next is very important. That’s why I want to take the time and space to make the best decision.”
Juan Pablo Montoya had recently taken the same line, pointing out not to underestimate the importance of Perez’s family life for his decision – although the Colombian also assumes that Perez wants to continue his career on his own terms after the inglorious departure from Red Bull. The former Formula 1 driver had also predicted that Cadillac would be the first port of call in this regard – and was obviously not entirely wrong.
However, Perez also seems attractive to the US team because the main wish of those in charge, a driver with an American passport, does not currently seem so easy to fulfill. Andretti explains: “There are many talented drivers in the US, but because of the licenses and all that…”
IndyCar driver Colton Herta is still considered the preferred solution for Cadillac, but the American has to achieve the necessary results this year, otherwise he will not get the necessary points for the Formula 1 super license. Another point in favor of an early agreement with Perez, in order to at least have one of the two cockpits occupied while waiting for the Herta decision…
