F1 2026: Sergio Perez joins Cadillac – why he is the ideal choice. Sergio Perez will return to Formula 1 in 2026 with Cadillac.

F1 | Perez in Cadillac from 2026: here’s why he is the perfect driver for this team

After a year away from the sport, Sergio Perez is ready to return to Formula 1 with Cadillac, and his former teammate has shared his thoughts on the move. The Mexican driver spent four years at Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen. While having a seat at the Austrian team was a major opportunity, Perez left Milton Keynes with mixed results. Now, a new adventure awaits as he prepares to return to F1 in 2026, joining Cadillac alongside Valtteri Bottas.

The announcement came just days before the Dutch Grand Prix, and during the media day in Zandvoort several drivers commented on the news. Among them was Max Verstappen, his former teammate, who expressed happiness for Sergio Perez and this new opportunity.

Verstappen immediately cautioned fans, noting that the start will not be easy since Cadillac will be making its debut in the category next season. “His performance will also depend on how good the car is. It’s a bit hard to say at this stage, but it’s a new opportunity and I’m sure he’s excited,” Verstappen said.

Is Sergio Perez the right choice for Cadillac?

The four-time world champion also explained why he believes his former teammate is a valuable asset for a newly established team like Cadillac. “He has driven for many different teams, so he knows a lot about how teams operate. Every single team works slightly differently. That is already a very interesting quality: understanding what people are good at and where some teams may struggle.”

“He has raced under many different regulations, with various sets of rules: some things were allowed, others were prohibited, things like that. So yes, having a general understanding of how a less-than-perfect car behaves, or how a car that isn’t fantastic drives, I think that is very valuable for them as a starting point. He has worked with many top teams, so I hope that experience will help them in the early stages because entering Formula 1 and being immediately competitive is never easy.”