Why SERGIO PEREZ had DOUBTS about CADILLAC F1 TEAM

This article aims to explain why Sergio “Checo” Perez hesitated before committing to the new Cadillac F1 project, how the deal ultimately came together, and what his arrival means for Cadillac, teammates, and the sport in 2026. Below I break down the timeline, the concerns Checo had, the factors that convinced him, and the implications for F1’s future.

Quick overview: the timeline and the announcement

Cadillac confirmed on August 26 that 35-year-old Sergio Perez would join Valtteri Bottas at the manufacturer’s inaugural F1 entry. Bottas had already signed in July, while Checo’s contract came together much closer to the announcement — reportedly signed the Friday before the Tuesday reveal. That compressed schedule led to a whirlwind few days: both drivers flew to the U.S. almost immediately to begin media and promotional commitments for the new team.

The contrast in signing dates matters. Bottas had been in talks for around two years and was able to sign earlier; Perez and his management only began serious discussions after he left Red Bull late the previous year. The close-to-the-line signature reflected real deliberation — and legitimate doubts.

What worried Sergio Perez?

Sergio had several clear concerns before joining Cadillac. The biggest were:

• Competitiveness in the early years: Cadillac is building a team from scratch for the 2026 regulations. Perez was told that the car would not be competitive in year one, and possibly not in year two. That prospect of racing at the back for an extended period was a major factor to weigh up.
• Role within the team: Perez had spent years at Red Bull as the clear number two to Max Verstappen. He knew what it felt like to be in a car fundamentally shaped for another driver and understood how difficult it is to fight back from that situation.
• Timing in his career: Perez received a substantial payout when Red Bull canceled his contract (reportedly about $20 million). Retirement was a real option — a comfortable, attractive option — especially after a difficult final season in which the environment felt complicated and, at times, toxic.

Looking back at Perez’s final season at Red Bull helps explain his hesitation. He started strongly — four podiums in the first six races — but from mid-season his results declined sharply. He suffered multiple non-finishes, and for much of the year struggled to match the car’s lead driver. He parted ways with Red Bull in December without the send-off many felt he deserved after four seasons of contribution to the team.

What convinced him to sign?

Despite the doubts, several compelling reasons pushed Checo toward Cadillac:

• A fresh environment where he’d be a leader: The opportunity to join a brand-new program where he would not be a second driver appealed strongly. That promise of being part of a project he could help shape was central — both professionally and personally.
• Family and lifestyle factors: Perez and his family value stability. He plans to keep Mexico as his primary home and move to Madrid during the European season. The prospect of managing family life while undertaking a meaningful final chapter in F1 made the offer attractive.
• Chance to enjoy racing again: Perez has stated he wants to enjoy racing; Cadillac offered him a role that felt like a new challenge rather than a repeat of a difficult situation.
• Experience and influence: With 14 years of F1 experience across Sauber, McLaren, Force India, Racing Point, and Red Bull, Perez brings a wealth of setup knowledge, racecraft, and feedback capabilities that are invaluable to a team starting from scratch.

He accepted a contract through the end of 2027. For a driver who can now choose his exit timing, Cadillac represented a final great project — one that could extend his career if the team delivers competitive progress.

How Cadillac evaluated Perez: sponsors vs experience

There was speculation that Perez’s sponsorship packages were the main driver behind Cadillac locking him in. That isn’t the full story. Cadillac is well funded and doesn’t need a driver primarily for their commercial backing. They focused on what Perez brings to the table beyond sponsorship:

• Top-tier experience within a championship-winning environment
• Extensive technical insight into car development
• A massive and passionate fanbase in Mexico, across Latin America, and in many parts of the U.S.

In short, Perez’s value is strategic: leadership, marketing reach (organic fan support rather than pay-for-seat arrangements), and technical feedback to accelerate development. Cadillac also recruited experienced engineers and personnel to give the fledgling program better odds of early progress.

Working arrangements, testing and development plan

Because Perez was out of contract when he signed, Cadillac can integrate him into the car development process immediately. He is scheduled to visit Cadillac’s Charlotte headquarters and their Silverstone campus in early October to start working with the team. Closed running sessions in Barcelona are set for late January prior to the official Bahrain tests; teams have five days available and can run for three of them. Perez’s public debut in the Cadillac is expected at the Bahrain test ahead of the 2026 season.

These early inputs are crucial. A driver of Perez’s experience can contribute targeted feedback on aerodynamics behavior, balance changes, and race-setup philosophies. For a new manufacturer building a car to meet the 2026 regulations, that kind of input is one of the fastest ways to learn and iterate.

Pairing with Valtteri Bottas — the experienced duo

Cadillac paired Perez with Valtteri Bottas, creating the oldest and most experienced driver pairing on the grid. Bottas, who signed earlier, had his initial contact with Cadillac about two years before the formal announcement. Both drivers have deep resumes and race-winning experience, and that combination fits Cadillac’s stated strategy: prioritize experience across the driver lineup and the engineering group to accelerate car development.

There are only two other teams with multiple race winners on their roster: Ferrari and McLaren. Cadillac joins that company immediately. The pairing should provide very pointed feedback during testing and development sessions as engineers iterate on the chassis and aero packages.

It’s worth noting an ironic twist in their recent history: both drivers’ last race of 2024 was at Abu Dhabi where they collided, resulting in Bottas receiving a five-place grid penalty that will carry over into the 2026 season opener in Melbourne. The incident will be a footnote in a new chapter where cooperation will be crucial to a new team’s early success.

Media reaction, fanbase and marketing implications

The appointment has been met with exuberance across Latin America and significant interest in parts of the U.S. Mexican media had been speculating since May that Perez was close to a Cadillac deal; that early coverage built national expectation long before the contract was formalized. The wide enthusiasm means Cadillac inherits not just a fast driver but also a vocal and passionate supporter base.

From Cadillac’s perspective, that organic fan support is valuable. It helps broaden F1’s appeal in the Americas and suits the manufacturer’s global ambitions. Perez’s profile also brings hospitality and PR opportunities — Pérez and his family participated in events such as the US Open as guests of the team — integrating sport and lifestyle marketing without relying solely on driver-backed sponsorship money.

What this signing means for Formula 1

Perez’s move to Cadillac has several broader implications:

• Geographic growth: The signing advances F1’s expansion into the Americas by placing a high-profile Latin American driver in a U.S.-backed team.
• New team narrative: Cadillac’s entry will be one of the most watched stories of 2026 — not just for on-track results but for how quickly a manufacturer program can climb the competitive ladder.
• Driver career arcs: It shows a pathway for long-serving drivers to reframe their careers: instead of chasing wins at any cost, they can take leadership roles in nascent programs and influence the sport’s commercial and technical directions.

Expect the pairing of Perez and Bottas to be a central storyline. Both drivers understand the inevitability of setbacks and the likelihood of early disappointment, but their experience also gives Cadillac the best chance of turning potential early struggles into a solid foundation.

Conclusion: a calculated risk with upside

Sergio Perez didn’t join Cadillac on impulse. He weighed the immediate drawbacks — likely initial uncompetitiveness and the emotional toll of a difficult final year at Red Bull — against the upside: a leadership role in a fresh factory program, the chance to enjoy racing again, and the ability to shape a team’s identity from the ground up. Cadillac, for its part, chose experience and fan engagement over a pure sponsorship play.

The move signals a strategic intent from Cadillac: start with strong driver and engineering experience and build upward. For fans, journalists, and F1 stakeholders, the 2026 season will be a fascinating test of how quickly a manufacturer-backed team can develop under new rules — and how much influence experienced drivers like Perez can have on that trajectory.

FAQ

When was Sergio Perez’s signing with Cadillac announced?

The signing was announced on August 26. Perez signed his agreement just days before that public announcement.

Why did Perez hesitate before signing?

His main concerns were that the Cadillac car would not be competitive in the first season (and possibly into the second), the personal appeal of retirement after a difficult final Red Bull season, and uncertainty about his role and enjoyment in a new environment.

Did sponsor money secure the deal?

No. Cadillac is financially robust; the team prioritized Perez’s technical experience, race knowledge, and vast fanbase rather than needing driver-backed funding.

When will Perez first drive the Cadillac on track?

He is expected to participate in closed Barcelona sessions in late January and make his public debut in the Cadillac during the Bahrain test ahead of the 2026 season.

How long is Perez contracted for?

He is contracted until the end of 2027, with the option to extend if performance and circumstances align.

What does this mean for F1 globally?

The signing broadens the sport’s appeal, particularly in the Americas, and adds a high-profile narrative around a manufacturer team building from the ground up. It underscores F1’s continued globalization and evolving team structures.