Formula 1 Miami GP
Sergio Perez's options that could yield him an F1 seat in 2026, or sooner
The Mexican driver isn't just being courted by Cadillac — a few others have him on their own potential driver lists. And the options aren't the teams hanging out in the back of the field this season either.
Luis Ramírez
Edited: May 10, 2025, 9:35 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
Sergio Perez continues to hog the Formula 1 scene despite not racing this season and, although some media expected his appointment within the Cadillac team in the past Miami GP weekend event, the Mexican's options are open to more than one team as Motorsport.com already reported.
Checo has held advanced talks with Cadillac, but also other teams such as Alpine and Mercedes have had interest in having the services of the Mexican for the 2026 season, although each option depends on some factors.
Options A, B, or C: Alpine, Mercedes, or Cadillac?
In Alpine's case, it is not the first time that Perez's name comes up. In the past, when the team was still called Renault, the Mexican was one of the favorites to take one of the seats, but that did not crystallize, although a photo was leaked on the Latin American's website where he appeared with a sign saying “Renault” as the selected team.
Alpine is now undergoing a restructuring process after the changes in the board of directors in the last two years, the most recent being the departure of Oliver Oakes with Flavio Briatore taking over as team manager. The Italian is looking for a significant amount of budget and, currently, with the promotion of Franco Colapinto for five races has secured the support of new sponsors — a situation that could be replicated with Checo should an agreement be reached.
Franco Colapinto, Reserve Driver, Alpine F1
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
While some of Perez's sponsors had already decided to leave racing before the crisis with Red Bull, the Mexican retains a number of important personal backers including Carlos Slim Domit, a member of the family ranked 19th in the Forbes billionaires ranking.
For now, the phase with Alpine is in initial talks, as is Mercedes. In the case of the German firm, a driver move is needed, specifically the departure of George Russell. Toto Wolff, head of the German team has shown sympathy in the past for Perez highlighting his work in development, but also as a loyal teammate.
However, the situation at the silver arrows is not so simple and everything depends on Max Verstappen. If the Dutchman decides not to continue with Red Bull until his 2028 contract it is understood that Christian Horner has examined the option of Russell as a possible replacement, this would leave a seat vacant at Mercedes.
Should Verstappen migrate to Aston Martin, Wolff would be interested in the Perez's services to become Andrea Kimi Antonelli's squire. The Mexican has already proven his worth when it comes to helping his teammate as he did with Verstappen in 2021 against Lewis Hamilton.
Read Also:
Cadillac's option is still on the table. The American team knows the Mexican's potential to help develop cars, as he already did at Sauber and Force India/Racing Point, in addition to the economic support and fan base he has in the United States.
However, any of these three options is yet to be defined. Contrary to some media reports, Perez has not signed a contract with Cadillac.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Claire Williams highlights F1’s lack of female leaders: 'I don’t get it'
Next article Why Mercedes has been struggling – relatively – in F1 2025
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Luis Ramírez
Sergio Perez: Debut Cadillac season "without a doubt one of my best years"
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Sergio Perez: Debut Cadillac season "without a doubt one of my best years"
F2 announces 2027 calendar with new additions revealed
FIA F2
FIA F2
F2 announces 2027 calendar with new additions revealed
Will NASCAR Cup return to Mexico? Daniel Suárez explains the logistics and obstacles
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Will NASCAR Cup return to Mexico? Daniel Suárez explains the logistics and obstacles
Latest news
Does Daniel Ricciardo regret leaving Red Bull for Renault?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
9 min
Does Daniel Ricciardo regret leaving Red Bull for Renault?
Cadillac 'honoured' to have Sergio Perez as special 300th race celebration planned for Mexico GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
Cadillac 'honoured' to have Sergio Perez as special 300th race celebration planned for Mexico GP
Porsche wants 2030 unified rules framework by Christmas before Le Mans decision
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 1 h
Porsche wants 2030 unified rules framework by Christmas before Le Mans decision
Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 1 h
Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe