Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore has revealed that he indeed received a call from Sergio Pérez. The Mexican driver contacted the Italian businessman just before signing his contract with Cadillac, inquiring about the second seat at the French racing team. “I couldn’t offer him anything at that time,” said Briatore.
Sergio Pérez will return to Formula 1 in 2026 after a year’s absence. The Mexican will join Valtteri Bottas at the eleventh team, Cadillac. However, the American racing team was not the only option for Pérez to make his comeback, as revealed by Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore.
The Italian businessman tells how the former Red Bull driver called him to inquire about a potentially available seat at Alpine. This call would have taken place just before Pérez signed his contract with Cadillac. With the ongoing uncertainty about the future of Franco Colapinto at the French team, Pérez’s call was not a very strange idea.
‘Pérez called me’
“Pérez called me,” Briatore reveals in a conversation with Auto, Motor und Sport. “He asked me what my plans were, but at the same time, he told me that he had almost reached an agreement with Cadillac. I couldn’t offer him anything at that time.” Pérez is not the only one who was linked with Alpine, rumors also circulated about a possible collaboration between Valtteri Bottas and the French racing team.
“I never spoke with Bottas about 2026,” Briatore immediately refutes these rumors. “However, I do think that the rumors helped him get a contract with Cadillac.” The Finn will remain a reserve driver for Mercedes until the end of 2025, before he can join the American team.
