Months after Red Bull Racing parted ways with Sergio Pérez, which led to his F1 exit, he has spoken about the chances of his return to the premier class of motorsport next year, confirming that he is in talks with several “parties.” The report arrives days after Cadillac’s board member Mario Andretti confirmed that Pérez was an option the team was considering for its F1 debut next year.
Pérez faced a rocky 2024 season, which saw him suffer from reported balance problems on Red Bull’s RB20 F1 car. The performance gap to his teammate Max Verstappen, and Red Bull losing out on a Constructors’ Championship were reasons that reportedly contributed to his exit.
Despite the setback last year, Pérez’s contributions to Red Bull in his storied F1 career aren’t a secret. Now, the 35-year-old driver has admitted that he is open to an F1 return next year, but only if he finds a project in line with his expectations. He told F1:
“If I find a project that motivates me fully to come back, where the team believe in me and where they appreciate my career, my experience and everything I can bring to a team, it would be very attractive to consider it.
“That’s why I’ve given myself at least six months to get all my options on the table and make a decision on what I do next with my career.
“There are a few very interesting projects out there. I’ve been approached by a few teams since Abu Dhabi. Right now, the season has started so a few things will open up in the coming months.
“We are talking to a few parties out there. Once I know all my options, I will make a decision. What is very clear to me is that I’m only coming back if the project makes sense, and it’s something I can enjoy.
“I’ve spent a long time in F1 already, I’ve done most of it. Once you step back, you realise how much you give up in life to be in the sport. So, to be in F1 fully committed, I need the motivation.”
Considering that he has been linked strongly to Cadillac, Pérez responded positively. He said:
“It’s good to be in this position knowing that people are keen on you as a drive. People have short memories in F1.
“Within a couple of races, they forget what you have done. People realise that my position was not the easiest one in F1 – and I’ve done extremely well overall.”
All set to become F1’s eleventh team next year, Cadillac is gearing up in every way to make a grand entry, and according to Andretti’s statements, the team prefers an experienced driver alongside a young American talent. With 13 years of F1 experience, there is a high chance of Pérez filling one of the two seats.
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