Cadillac spotted something at Red Bull that gave them full ‘confidence’ when signing Sergio Perez

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Sergio Perez will return to the Formula 1 grid in 2026 as he signs with newcomers Cadillac.

The Mexican dropped out of the sport at the end of 2024 as Red Bull opted to part ways, despite signing a contract extension in the summer. After failing to secure a seat for 2025, Perez will make his return next season.

Cadillac have signed Perez and Valtteri Bottas as their first driver line-up as F1’s 11th team on the grid. With 527 Grand Prix starts and 16 wins between them, the pair bring much-needed experience for the General Motors-backed team.

The American brand had been exploring the F1 driver market extensively throughout 2025, identifying several potential candidates, including rookies and drivers in other disciplines of motorsport. The likes of Felipe Drugovich, Mick Schumacher and Colton Herta were all linked with a seat.

However, Cadillac have opted for experience and have signed Perez and Bottas to multi-year deals. The former was targeted early on by the team as they had some questions that needed answering before they made a decision.

Cadillac have full ‘confidence’ in Sergio Perez after seeing the struggles of the second Red Bull seat

Cadillac spoke to Perez the moment he left Red Bull as they picked him out as a top candidate. A report from The Race has now revealed that this was because key figures at the American team wanted to be sure that he was the right option.

The 35-year-old desperately struggled next to Max Verstappen at Red Bull, finishing with more than half of the Dutchman’s points in 2023. Last season was a disaster for Perez as he did not finish inside the top five after the Miami GP in May.

Cadillac wanted answers to ‘help better understand’ why Perez struggled so much at Red Bull in the second half of 2024. Furthermore, they wondered if he would be able to perform after taking a year out of F1; his teammate Bottas has spent 2025 in the paddock as Mercedes’ reserve driver.

However, according to a report from RACER, Cadillac have ‘confidence’ that Perez can improve his form after seeing the struggles of the second Red Bull in 2025. Perez had warned Red Bull about the car, which has now seen Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda face extreme difficulties this year.

Meetings with Cadillac ‘answered any questions relating to Perez’s motivation’ after spotting the issues at Red Bull. The Mexican will be keen to bounce back and help F1’s 11th team become a competitive force.

READ MORE: Cadillac driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname

What are Cadillac’s aims for Sergio Perez in 2026?

With Perez and Bottas on board, Cadillac will be excited about the team’s prospects as they have two proven race winners and one of the most experienced driver line-ups in recent history.

But the team are not expecting immediate success. Perez’s ‘main mission’ with Cadillac is in development and helping to evolve their car, rather than challenging for race wins.

The Mexican will be driving with Ferrari engines for the first time since his time with Sauber, with whom he debuted in F1 in 2011. He established himself as a consistent midfield driver, scoring three podiums in 2012.

Perez had a torrid time at McLaren in 2013, before finding his feet again at Force India. He scored five podiums with the team before they rebranded to Racing Point in 2019.

Perez claimed his maiden F1 win in 2020 at the Sakhir GP before moving to Red Bull the following year. After a tricky few years next to Verstappen, he will be looking to recover his form and build Cadillac up the grid alongside Bottas.