Sergio Perez in ‘negotiations’ over F1…read more
Sergio Perez, the former Red Bull driver, is reportedly in talks for a potential return to Formula 1 next season. After a disappointing 2024 campaign, which saw Perez finish eighth in the drivers’ standings, he was dropped by Red Bull. His struggles were compounded by a mid-season slump from teammate Max Verstappen, which led to Red Bull losing their constructors’ title to McLaren, who claimed their first championship since 1998.
Since his dismissal, Perez has been watching from the sidelines as his replacement, Liam Lawson, has faced a challenging start to his F1 career. Reports suggest that Lawson’s performance has been underwhelming, with some speculating that he could be replaced by Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.
Despite being ousted by Red Bull, Perez’s Formula 1 career could soon see a revival, with reports indicating that the Mexican driver is in discussions with Cadillac, a new team set to join the F1 grid in 2024. The American team, which will make its debut as the 11th team on the grid, is reportedly in the process of finalizing its driver lineup. Perez is said to be considering an offer from Cadillac, which could help revive his career in the sport.
According to FOX Sports journalist Chacho Lopez, Perez is not expecting Cadillac to fight for race wins or podiums in their first season. However, he believes that Perez sees the opportunity as a chance to build something from the ground up, with a potential financial incentive and the possibility of future success. Lopez suggested that Perez is aware that Cadillac’s initial season will be challenging, but he could be motivated by the long-term prospects the team might offer, including their technical development.
Lopez also pointed out that a return to Red Bull is unlikely for Perez. Given the secondary status he would likely hold within the team, Perez would not be keen to return. Red Bull, under Max Verstappen’s dominance, has made it clear that Verstappen is their primary driver. Therefore, Perez would not be able to ask for the number one position if he were to return. This, according to Lopez, would make a Red Bull return unappealing to Perez, who could instead secure a prominent role at Cadillac, potentially leading the team as their number one driver.
With talks ongoing, Perez’s future in Formula 1 appears to hinge on whether he chooses to take on the challenge with Cadillac, a team with a promising but uncertain future, or looks elsewhere for opportunities to continue his motorsport career.
