Cadillac has firmly dismissed rumours linking Sergio Perez with a move to Williams for the 2027 Formula 1 season, with Dan Towriss expressing confidence that the Mexican will remain with the American team. Despite Cadillac’s difficult debut campaign and growing speculation around the driver market, Towriss believes Sergio Perez remains a crucial part of the project.
The first half of Cadillac’s maiden Formula 1 season has been anything but straightforward. The American team has yet to score a championship point despite fielding two drivers who have both won multiple Grands Prix during their careers: former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, who currently sits last in the Formula 1 driver standings. Formula 1’s official standings likewise list Sergio Perez 22nd and Valtteri Bottas 21st, both on zero points.
Sergio Perez-Williams rumours grow amid uncertainty at Grove
In recent weeks, Sergio Perez has repeatedly been linked with Williams, particularly amid speculation surrounding Carlos Sainz’s future at Grove. The Spaniard has been tipped to consider his options after Williams struggled for competitiveness during the first half of the season.
Those questions have intensified following reports that Carlos Sainz has a Williams exit clause for 2027 that could potentially allow him to leave if a leading Formula 1 team makes a concrete offer. Williams’ own competitive situation has also remained difficult, with James Vowles recently admitting that the team’s planned Baku upgrade will not be enough to return it consistently to the points.
According to Autosprint, Williams has attempted to discourage Carlos Sainz from leaving by offering the former Ferrari driver a salary comparable with that of a leading Formula 1 star. Even if Carlos Sainz were to remain, another potential opening could theoretically emerge should Alex Albon depart.
Dan Towriss dismisses Sergio Perez move to Williams
Dan Towriss, who has also recently overseen the appointment of Marcin Budkowski as Cadillac’s new team principal, has nevertheless made his position on Sergio Perez clear. He sees no reason to expect the 36-year-old to leave Cadillac at the end of the season.
“Checo is a tremendous asset,” Dan Towriss told the media. “He’s driven very well and has certainly pushed to the maximum. I’m confident that Checo will remain with Cadillac and we’re not distracted in the slightest by the rumours of a possible move to Williams. We’re very confident in the relationship we’ve established and we’re certain that you’ll see him driving the Cadillac F1 car in 2027.”
Towriss’s confidence is consistent with his recent public comments following Cadillac’s leadership change. Formula 1 also reported that he was “very confident” Sergio Perez would remain with the team and said Cadillac was not being distracted by the Williams speculation.
Marcin Budkowski underlines Perez’s importance to Cadillac
Marcin Budkowski has expressed a very similar view, stressing the value of having two veteran drivers such as Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas in a young Formula 1 organisation.
“Checo is a valuable asset to the team, as are both drivers,” the new Cadillac team principal said. “I think it’s fundamental, in a young team like this, to be able to rely on experience and stability. If a driver is learning and the whole team is learning at the same time, there are too many variables, so it’s important to have a driver like Checo on board.”
Marcin Budkowski continued: “Not only has he driven exceptionally well, but he’s also pushed the team very hard behind the scenes, and that’s what you would expect from a driver like him, who has been at Red Bull for years and with the best. That’s exactly the mindset we want.”
That emphasis on experience is particularly understandable during Cadillac’s first Formula 1 season. Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas were signed specifically to provide the new operation with an experienced driver pairing, bringing more than 500 Grand Prix starts and 16 victories between them.
Cadillac wants stability heading into 2027
For now, Cadillac’s position is therefore clear. Despite the team’s difficult results and the wider uncertainty surrounding Formula 1’s 2027 driver market, Sergio Perez remains a central part of its plans.
Williams may yet face decisions over Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, but Cadillac is publicly refusing to entertain the idea that Sergio Perez could be part of the solution at Grove. With Marcin Budkowski now leading the team’s next phase and both senior management figures stressing the importance of experience, Cadillac appears determined to maintain stability as it works towards a stronger second Formula 1 season.
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