Perez in talks with F1 teams for potential 2026 comeback
Sergio Perez could be on the verge of a sensational return to Formula 1 in 2026, with the veteran Mexican revealing that several teams have expressed interest in his services following his high-profile exit from Red Bull.
The six-time Grand Prix winner was shown the door by Red Bull at the end of 2024 after three rollercoaster seasons alongside Max Verstappen, culminating in the team opting for rising star Liam Lawson.
But with Lawson already losing his Red Bull Racing seat to Yuki Tsunoda, Perez’s stock appears to be on the rise again.
Speaking to F1.com, the 34-year-old said he’s been in talks with “a few” teams since the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and is weighing up his next move carefully.
“If I find a project that motivates me fully to come back, where the team believes in me and where they appreciate my career, my experience, and everything I can bring to a team, it would be very attractive to consider it,” he said.
While Perez has ruled out a rushed return, he has set a mid-year deadline to assess his options. Cadillac’s much-hyped F1 entry in 2026, in partnership with Ferrari, is believed to be one potential landing spot.
The American outfit has already been linked to names like Colton Herta and Guanyu Zhou, but Perez’s experience could make him an ideal foundation for the fledgeling squad.
“People have short memories in F1,” Perez said. “They forget what you’ve done within a few races. But people now realise that my position at Red Bull wasn’t easy—and I’ve done extremely well overall.”
After 14 seasons, stints with five different teams, and a career-defining win in Sakhir in 2020 that revived his career, Perez is in no rush.
But as the F1 driver market starts to shift, don’t be surprised if the Mexican finds himself back on the grid with a point to prove.
Whilst there’s no odds with top online bookmakers for who will join Cadillac, punters can only assume a veteran lineup with a young gun rookie is underway.