Sergio Perez has indicated that he is in discussions with various teams about a potential return to Formula 1 in 2026.
After a challenging season, the 35-year-old Mexican driver lost his seat at Red Bull at the end of last year. This marked the first time since his debut in 2011, after 281 race starts, that he was without a position on the grid.
Despite limited public updates since his departure, recent speculation has linked Perez to a potential opportunity with the new Cadillac team when they enter the sport next year. Perez has now confirmed interest from several teams.
“If I find a project that truly motivates me to return, where the team has confidence in me and values my career, my experience, and what I can contribute, it would be very appealing to consider,” Perez stated in an interview with the official F1 website.
“That`s why I`ve given myself at least six months to evaluate all available options and decide on the next step in my career.”
Regarding the interest in him, Perez added, “There are several very interesting projects emerging. I have been contacted by a few teams since Abu Dhabi. Now that the season is underway, more possibilities will arise in the coming months.”
“We are in talks with several parties. Once I have a clear picture of all my options, I will make a decision. It`s important for me that any return to F1 is with a project that makes sense and that I can enjoy.”
Perez noted that despite “short memories in F1,” he is encouraged by the interest in him. “People are realizing that my position at Red Bull was not the easiest in F1, and I believe I performed exceptionally well overall.”
He referred to the second driver position at Red Bull, which has already seen another driver change since his departure. Liam Lawson, initially brought in as a replacement, struggled in the RB21 during the first two races of the season. He was eliminated in the first qualifying round in each race and did not score any points. As a result, Yuki Tsunoda, with more experience, has been selected to drive alongside Max Verstappen starting from the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.
“Especially last year, I didn’t have the opportunity to fully demonstrate my abilities as a driver,” Perez added. “Now, it seems people are recognizing just how challenging that car is to drive.”
“When I first joined Red Bull, several talented drivers had faced difficulties – drivers like Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly, who are both fantastic, struggled. Having been at Red Bull for a while, it seems everyone had forgotten the car`s demanding nature, which was indeed a challenge.”
However, Perez emphasized his wish for the team`s success and commented on Tsunoda: “Yuki possesses the talent, the speed, and crucially, the necessary mentality to handle the pressure. I believe he has the right mindset and attitude to succeed in that role.”
