Already a return to F1 for Perez? The Mexican pilot, ousted from Red Bull at the end of last season after a difficult year where he finished eighth place in the championship, 7 positions and 285 points behind his teammate Max Verstappen, seems close to concluding an agreement with Cadillac. According to information issued by Autosporta three -year contract awaits the former Racing Point driver. However, at least two other stables also seem to negotiate with the 35 -year -old pilot for next season.
Rumors that intervene while the Mexico Grand Prix has just been extended in the F1 calendar until 2028. For his part, Perez had indicated that he wanted to give himself “At least six months to put all the options on the table”. Carlos Slim, Mexican businessman and main support of the pilot, said a few days ago that “Czech” was looking for “Something that can fascinate him and can represent him a challenge. »» Even if nothing has yet been signed, the transfer of Sergio Perez to Cadillac seems more and more to take shape.
Perez, an ideal profile for Cadillac
This possible partnership is ideal for both parties. Sergio Perez, after a difficult last year in the Austrian team, could already find a place on the starting grid, this time as a team leader, a position that had seen him obtain a few shine in the past as his victory during the Sakhir Grand Prix in 2020. At the same time, Cadillac would have, with Sergio Perez, of a very experienced pilot (281 F1 departures) and Several manufacturers’ titles. An experience that Graeme Lowdon, patron of Cadillac, wants to have at all costs having in his team. “Fortunately for us, there are a lot of good pilots available. Unfortunately, we could not be active on the pilot market as long as our entry was not confirmed ”he said in March.
“It is important for us to discuss with several potential candidates. Do we see very talented drivers who are not currently on the grid? Yes, absolutely. We are going to be very busy chatting with several people, my phone does not stop ringing. What is a bit complicated is that, as we are a new team, the calendar is not as clear as usual. Normally, everything is well defined for those who participate in pilot negotiations. But there are easily half a dozen, or even more, of candidates with very solid arguments to be in Formula 1, or come back to it. »» If there is no shortage of candidates for one of the seats at Cadillac, the Mexican is most likely at the top of the list. It is also present this weekend in Miami when the latest information suggests that the former Red Bull driver make his decision this month.
An unanswered line-up?
If Cadillac is close to obtaining his first pilot, the identity of his teammate remains still unknown. Although it is an American brand, for Lowdon it does not necessarily mean that the team will recruit an American pilot. “We will choose our pilots on the basis of merit”he said at the Bahrain Grand Prix. “Having a pilot chosen on merit does not exclude that he can also have an American passport. We have a lot of options. »»
“But we cannot judge a stable of F1 only on what it does this year or next year. The team is there to last. I think fans would like to see an American pilot in an American stable. Nothing prevents him, but we have to make our choices according to merit and build a team, because there are some very experienced pilots available. And when we constitute our duo of pilots, it does not matter which one, it will be solid. »»
Before making its decision, Cadillac organizes an event this weekend “Red carpet” Saturday evening to reveal his future livery as well as the branding of the future car. A way may attract the eye of certain pilots.
