Sergio Perez backer ‘100%’ refutes one claim about his return to Formula 1 with Cadillac in 2026

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Sergio Perez is edging closer to his return to the Formula 1 grid with Cadillac in 2026.

Excitement is building for the American brand as they enter the sport as F1’s 11th team next season. With no previous car to work on, they are fully focused on the new technical regulations in 2026 and getting the team set up.

The General Motors-backed outfit have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to set the foundations for their F1 project. Cadillac are offering rival staff three times their salaries to jump ship and join them in Silverstone.

Perez will link up with Valtteri Bottas in 2026, giving Cadillac two experienced heads for their first season in F1. The pair bring a winning mentality, with 16 wins between them, as well as experience with Ferrari engines, who will supply the American brand until they introduce their own power unit.

For Perez, especially, he will be hoping to redeem himself with this exciting project. His exit from the sport in 2024 left him with a damaged reputation due to poor results.

Carlos Slim Domit ‘100%’ refutes claims that Sergio Perez’s return to F1 with Cadillac is because of sponsors

It would be fair to say that Perez’s time with Red Bull was difficult, to say the least. In his four seasons with the team, he struggled to keep up with Max Verstappen and adapt to the car’s sensitive setup.

Last year was a torrid season for the Mexican, as he grabbed just four podiums and did not finish in the top five after the Miami GP, the sixth race of 2024. Perez was sacked at the end of the season, with many people criticising his performances.

Perez had been complaining about the car and how it was more suited to his teammate, which has since been vindicated with the struggles of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda in 2025. However, some are still sceptical about the 35-year-old’s return to the sport.

Perez has been backed heavily by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim throughout his career. His son, Carlos Slim Domit, has refuted claims that he is back in F1 because of sponsors, stating that Cadillac was ‘100%’ interested in him.

“Well, look, I think he came back for him, I mean, the team, their interest was in him,” he said via Formula de 2 and Carlo Sports.

“Many of the sponsors are still working with the team, right? First, and then the driver, right? Right. So this one, no, the interest was 100%, 100% in him, as it was also in some other teams. And well, with a lot of clarity about everything that he can bring to them to build and develop the team.”

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

Sergio Perez is already putting the work in behind the scenes at Cadillac

With Perez not tied to any racing series in 2025, he can focus his efforts on Cadillac immediately. He is already getting to work behind the scenes.

Perez has been doing ‘invaluable’ simulator work at the factory, providing the team with data ahead of the 2026 season. Perez is using his time at Red Bull to help Cadillac and provide strong feedback to his engineers.

Perez is set to drive a Ferrari in a private test, as part of their engine agreement. It will be the first time he gets behind the wheel of an F1 car since his exit from Red Bull last year.

As a new team, Cadillac will likely have a learning year in 2026. But they have the perfect drivers in Perez and Bottas to guide them through it and set them up for success in the future.