Veteran Formula 1 driver Sergio Pérez is poised for a high-profile return to the grid in 2026, reportedly having secured a deal with the newly formed Cadillac F1 outfit. This follows his departure from Red Bull Racing at the close of the 2024 season, when he was replaced by rising talent Liam Lawson. Pérez’s absence in 2025 marked his first year off the grid since his debut in 2011, a hiatus prompted by an extended spell of underwhelming results against reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
Lawson’s tenure at Red Bull was notably short-lived, with Yuki Tsunoda assuming his seat after only two races. However, the subsequent struggles of all three drivers to extract performance from the car revealed deeper, systemic issues within the team’s operations rather than deficiencies in individual talent. As Red Bull’s challenges became increasingly apparent, whispers began to circulate of Pérez’s potential re-entry into the sport — an opportunity to rehabilitate his reputation, once that of a masterful points-scorer and race strategist.
According to PlanetF1, the 35-year-old Mexican has reached an agreement with Cadillac F1, which will debut as Formula 1’s 11th team under sweeping 2026 regulations introducing overhauled chassis designs and updated power unit specifications. While Cadillac’s entry has been met with skepticism over its ability to match the established field, the regulatory reset offers a rare window for a newcomer to gain competitive traction from the outset. Sources suggest that an official announcement could be timed for September’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
Pérez’s return has been aided by the strategic guidance of a new manager following his Red Bull exit, with earlier speculation linking him to multiple other seats — including Alpine and Sauber. His potential signing by Cadillac signals both the brand’s ambition and its recognition of the value an experienced driver brings to a nascent program, particularly one entering amidst a wholesale technical overhaul of the sport.
Notably, Verstappen himself has voiced support for his former teammate’s comeback, praising Pérez’s capabilities during his stints at Force India and Racing Point as evidence of his consistency in securing strong results. While acknowledging Pérez’s difficult moments at Red Bull, Verstappen underscored the importance of motivation and experience for any driver joining a fresh project. Should the deal proceed as reported, Pérez’s 2026 campaign could mark both a personal redemption arc and a critical proving ground for Cadillac’s long-term Formula 1 aspirations.
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