Excited Sergio Perez shares what ‘became apparent’ during Cadillac talks after agreeing to F1 return

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Sergio Perez has secured his return to the Formula 1 grid after signing for Cadillac on a multi-year contract to partner with Valtteri Bottas at the General Motors team in 2026.

The American squad announced this Tuesday that Perez and Bottas have both agreed to join ahead of Cadillac debuting on the F1 grid in 2026. Cadillac have chosen to favour experience over youth for their first line-up in two drivers boasting 527 Grand Prix starts between them.

Cadillac have even signed the oldest driver line-up on the 2026 grid in the Mexican and Finn. Perez turns 36 years old on January 26, 2026 (the same day as the first pre-season test in Barcelona). Mercedes reserve driver Bottas will even turn 36 this Wednesday, on August 28.

But Perez and Bottas’ ages did not put Cadillac team boss Graeme Lowdon and Dan Towriss, the chief executive of the TWG Group that oversees the General Motors brand’s entry, off a move for them. Speaking to Lowdon and Towriss also helped convince Perez to join Cadillac.

Sergio Perez is excited about signing for Cadillac after realising their ‘whole project’

The Guadalajara native registered 281 starts from 285 Grand Prix entries from 2011 to 2024 for Sauber (37), McLaren (19), Force India (99), Racing Point (36) and Red Bull (90). But Red Bull bought Perez out of his contract after scoring just 152 of the team’s 589 points in 2024.

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

Perez was not interested in retiring from F1 after leaving Red Bull, though. So, he has signed with Cadillac after talking to Lowdon et al about the “whole project” there made it “apparent” to the six-time Grand Prix winner how exciting it can be to help shape a new team’s arrival.

Perez told the Mirror: “It was very clear for me in the beginning, especially the first couple of months, what I wanted to do next. The more I was talking to the Cadillac team, the more it became apparent that this is what excites me about going back. It’s a project itself.

“It’s just not going back to the grid with a regular team to fight for podiums and races, and points. This is a whole project.”

Sergio Perez brings sponsors to Cadillac, as well as his vast experience in Formula 1

Perez now brings his vast experience in F1 to Cadillac, as Lowdon and executive engineering consultant Pat Symonds lead the design of the team’s first car at their factory in Silverstone. Unlike Bottas, Perez can also get straight to work helping Cadillac prepare for their F1 debut.

READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 Team from engine to factory

Cadillac are still in talks with Mercedes about releasing Bottas from his reserve driver role at the Silver Arrows for the 2025 F1 season, having returned to Brackley after he left Sauber. A clean break from Red Bull last December means Perez can jump straight into Cadillac’s work.

Christian Danner feels signing Bottas and Perez guarantees Cadillac instant results, too, with the pair known quantities who bring vast experience from front-running teams. Perez is also now a prized marketing asset for Cadillac, who will utilise him in the Latin American market.

Perez also brings Cadillac his significant sponsorship including his billionaire primary backer, Carlos Slim. But his vast experience could be the most important aspect at the start in 2026, as Martin Brundle has warned Bottas and Perez to “park their early frustrations” at Cadillac.