Former Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez has been backed by ex-Alpine team principal, Otmar Szafnauer, for a move to the Cadillac F1 team for the 2026 season. The support for Perez arrives amid rumors that Cadillac has already signed him for next year, and an announcement is expected this week.
After parting ways with Red Bull following the 2024 season, Perez has been away from the world of F1. His extensive premier class career, which began in 2011 with Sauber, is something that could greatly help a new team like Cadillac. The American outfit is gearing up to join the F1 grid in 2026, a year that also marks the beginning of a new era of regulations.
Perez’s experience with Szafnauer goes back to their time at Force India/Racing Point from 2014 to 2020, before the Mexican driver moved to Red Bull. Szafnauer believes Perez’s vast experience of working with teams of different sizes could be ideal for Cadillac F1. He told Planet F1:
“If he finds the right environment, with all of his experience at both smaller teams with less budget and Red Bull, he’s got good feedback, so he definitely has something to offer.
Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage prior to the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on November 30, 2024…
Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage prior to the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on November 30, 2024 in Lusail City, Qatar.
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“Especially perhaps, a new team coming in that needs an experienced driver for the first couple of years, Checo [Perez] would be a good addition.”
Perez suffered a difficult period at Red Bull last year, when the team’s RB20 F1 car was reportedly struck with balance problems. This caused the team to lose the Constructors’ Championship, but Max Verstappen’s strong charge in the first half of the season helped him win his fourth championship. However, the vast performance difference between Perez and Verstappen is said to be a contributing factor behind his ouster.
Szafnauer was surprised by Perez’s performance at Red Bull, since he was well-acquainted with the 35-year-old driver’s fighting spirit. The former team boss added:
“I was surprised. When I worked with Checo, I remember him saying to me: ‘I’m going to beat [Nico] Hulkenberg.’
“I thought that’d be great if you could actually achieve that, because Hulkenberg was a great driver then, and now, and very fast over a lap.
“It took Sergio two years, but he ended up beating Hulkenberg [seventh and ninth, respectively, in 2016].
“It was very close. That really impressed me about Sergio and he did that through his own hard work, focus, and mental tenacity at the time.
“So I knew he was capable of that. I was a bit surprised that he didn’t have that type of finish at Red Bull.”
Related: Max Verstappen Backs Sergio Perez For F1 Return With Cadillac