Sergio Perez’s Cadillac contract talks complicated by outside factor not affecting Valtteri Bottas

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Cadillac appear to have chosen two experienced drivers ahead of their first season as a Formula 1 outfit.

Although nothing has been confirmed yet, Cadillac appear to be closing in on the signing of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.

Team principal Graeme Lowdon has spent months discussing the perfect line-up for his Cadillac outfit.

Plenty of drivers were considered, and both Perez and Bottas are still waiting to put pen to paper.

Bottas has previously given cryptic answers about signing for Cadillac, but it appears to be his best chance of returning to Formula 1, with Mercedes set to extend both George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s contracts.

Cadillac are preparing a multi-year deal for Perez despite the fact he’s stepped away from the F1 paddock completely after his Red Bull sacking.

However, there are distinct differences in the approaches Cadillac have had to take in their negotiations with both drivers.

It appears as though there is one more barrier to Perez completing his move compared to Bottas, which involves his sponsorship backing.

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

Sergio Perez’s Carlos Slim connection ‘complicates’ Cadillac F1 contract talks

The German outlet Bild has shared more details about negotiations behind the scenes at Cadillac.

Their sources have learned that talks with Bottas are ‘proving easier’ because the 35-year-old is ‘desperate’ to sign with the team and make a return to Formula 1.

However, Perez will be bringing his own sponsors, including Carlos Slim, who also backs Alpine driver Franco Colapinto.

It’s believed that Slim’s connection with Perez ‘complicates contract negotiations’, and it’s still ‘unclear’ when both drivers will sign their new deals.

It’s been suggested that both drivers could be confirmed before the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix.

The priority for Cadillac is getting two drivers into their simulator as quickly as possible to help with the development of the car.

Cadillac are by far the least experienced team in Formula 1, and while the 2026 regulations will somewhat level the playing field, the American team will start on the back foot.

The report from Bild suggests that there’s also a ‘glimmer of hope’ for Mick Schumacher to be involved at Cadillac.

F1 Oversteers understands that Schumacher is very confident of working with Cadillac, and Bild believe he’s on the team’s list to be a driver for their World Endurance Championship team, and potentially a reserve driver for the F1 side of the business.

READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers

How Sergio Perez’s first seasons with each Formula 1 team have played out

If Perez is confirmed by Cadillac, it will be the sixth team he’s raced for in Formula 1.

The Mexican driver finished 16th in the drivers’ championship during his first year at Sauber, before Perez was dropped by McLaren after his only season with the team in 2013.

He was signed by Force India in 2014 and finished in the top 10 of the standings that year, and while Perez was technically still driving for the same team in 2019 when they changed their name to Racing Point, he also finished 10th at the end of that campaign.

Perez’s final switch was to Red Bull in 2021, where he finished fourth, and while his time with the Anglo-Austrian team didn’t end the way he would have liked, anything other than 21st or 22nd in the drivers’ championship next year has to be considered a success.