Formula 1 star Sergio Pérez is set to return to the premier class with Cadillac next year. The American outfit will make its debut as the eleventh team on the grid in 2026. Team boss Graeme Lowdon and CEO Dan Towriss have signed Pérez and fellow veteran Valtteri Bottas to help Cadillac in its inaugural season. While the Americans are keen to temper expectations, Checo promises to be able to fight for podium places ‘in the near future’.
Sergio Pérez recently had his seat fitted at Cadillac’s headquarters in Silverstone. At the same time, he was interviewed by Reuters news agency, who asked him about his expectations for the upcoming Formula 1 season. The Mexican was sidelined this year after being let go by Red Bull at the end of 2024. Despite this, Pérez has an impressive resume; he has raced fourteen seasons in Formula 1, stood on the podium 39 times, and won six Grand Prix.
Fighting for Podium Positions
With the new Cadillac team, Pérez hopes to further expand his list of achievements. Despite the cautious words of Lowdon and Towriss, the 34-year-old sounds optimistic. “Yes, I think a podium is quite possible,” he responded confidently. “I truly believe it. Almost every team I’ve driven for has seen me on the podium – with the exception of McLaren. We’ll probably start at the back, but step by step, we’ll move forward. Ultimately, the goal is to be on the podium in the near future. It doesn’t matter who does it, as long as it’s a Cadillac driver.”
Pérez will soon conduct his first test on behalf of Cadillac. As the team does not yet have its own cars, it is borrowing an SF-23 from Ferrari – the engine supplier that will provide Cadillac with power units for the next three years. Pérez is reportedly testing on November 13 and 14 at the Imola circuit, and the car will be fully black for the occasion. Teammate Valtteri Bottas, who is still under contract with Mercedes, will have to wait a bit longer for his first physical test. “I’m curious to see how many laps my neck can handle before it gives up,” joked Pérez. “But it’s great, you know. This is a fantastic test and a nice way to end the year before I get back in the car for real next season.”
