Sergio Pérez’s F1 Future: Former Red Bull Director Backs Driver’s Return Amid Cadillac Interest
A seasoned Formula 1 driver, Sergio Pérez, retains the natural speed and competitive edge needed for success, according to Jonathan Wheatley, his former Sporting Director at Red Bull Racing. As Pérez explores options for a return to the grid, interest is mounting from both established and new teams, including Cadillac, ahead of their 2026 debut.
Pérez and Red Bull mutually agreed to part ways at the conclusion of the 2023 season after a four-year partnership. The Mexican driver took time to evaluate potential opportunities, ultimately deciding he wished to continue his F1 career with a team offering the right project.
The 35-year-old has engaged in discussions with multiple outfits, notably Cadillac – preparing for their inaugural F1 season – and Alpine. Cadillac, under the leadership of Team Principal Graeme Lowdon, is currently assessing its driver lineup for 2026, with a growing preference for experienced drivers. Pérez, with six career wins, 39 points, and a second-place finish in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship, fits that profile. He is considered a frontrunner for a seat alongside Valtteri Bottas.
Wheatley, speaking to F1.com, praised Pérez’s character and talent. “Firstly, I really enjoyed working with Checo. He’s a great personality, great attitude to life, full stop,” Wheatley stated. “I have no doubt about his pace and his speed. It’s been natural since the beginning.” He further emphasized that a period away from racing wouldn’t diminish Pérez’s abilities, asserting, “He put in some tremendous drives at my former team and I don’t think it’s much of a barrier that he’s had a bit of time off between driving a Formula 1 car because when you know how to do that, you know how to do it.”
Pérez’s departure from Red Bull came despite having two years remaining on his contract, following a season where he was consistently outperformed by teammate and reigning World Champion Max Verstappen. The subsequent struggles of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda to extract performance from the Red Bull car have, in retrospect, highlighted the challenges Pérez faced in 2023.
Beyond his speed, Wheatley highlighted Pérez’s unique ability to motivate those around him. “I spent a lot of time with him early on because I wanted to get to know him and I wanted him to adjust to the team,” Wheatley explained. “What I really liked was he pushed me in my sporting role – pushed me very, very hard. He made me question whether I was putting every bit of effort in, not that he was criticizing but he would challenge you in a positive way and I enjoyed it. I think it helped motivate me to become better at my job and I’d like to think maybe it was reciprocal and the work that we did together made him better at his.” Wheatley concluded, “He’s fully focused on performance and what do you want from a driver?”
Cadillac continues to refine its driver shortlist for its 2026 entry, with sources indicating the team is now focused on a select group of candidates. Discussions with potential drivers are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
