Formula 1 will feature not just ten, but eleven teams in 2026. Global car manufacturer Cadillac managed to persuade Formula 1 executives after a lengthy application process that will see a second American team in the series for the first time since 1976.
With Cadillac joining the grid, the conversation of who will be driving for the team has been a big topic of this year’s driver market. Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have been frontrunners for the extra seats and many F1 figures have given their take on employing Perez at the new team.
Max Verstappen backs Sergio Perez for open 2026 seat at Cadillac F1
Despite Perez leaving Red Bull at the end of 2024, Max Verstappen has given the Mexican a very good endorsement to join Cadillac F1 for 2026 and elevate the team to glory:
“Checo has always been very strong! Of course, he had some difficult moments with us, but as long as he has the motivation to race, I think he is a very good choice, especially for a new team.”
Could Cadillac Be Sergio Perez’s Next Destination After Red Bull?
“If you look at his performances at Force India and Racing Point, you will see that he always scored good points there.”
Looking at Perez’s career, he definitely has the experience and skills to build a quick car and get a team into the podium places. We saw this in 2020 where Perez and Stroll scored a combined four podiums, one of them was a victory by Perez in Sakhir. They also managed a 4th place finish in the Constructors’ championship with McLaren only beating them by 7 points in 3rd.
More voices join Verstappen in endorsing Checo for Cadillac F1
Isack Hadjar may have never worked with Perez personally, but that didn’t keep him from singing his praises:
“I’m hearing a lot of positive things about him for next year. It seems like something is really going on. He clearly deserves a place there. It’s Checo we’re talking about, he did quite well alongside Max.”
Jonathan Wheatley, who departed from Red Bull last year, has also shared his take on Perez joining the new American team in an interview with F1.com:
“Firstly, I really enjoyed working with Checo. He’s a great personality, great attitude to life. I have no doubt about his pace and his speed. It’s been natural since the beginning.
“He put in some tremendous drives at my former team, and I don’t think it’s much of a barrier that he’s had a bit of time off between driving a Formula 1 car because when you know how to do that, you know how to do it.”
😜| Well, with that NEWSBOMB out of the way, what do you think will be next in SILLY SEASON 2025 EDITION??
Many drivers without a seat in 2026, TWO extra spots are opening up on the grid and WHO will drive for Mercedes next year??#F1 #SillySeason pic.twitter.com/zC96uTFEo3
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) July 9, 2025
With the driver market about to light up during the summer break, we could hear about Cadillac’s choices sooner rather than later. And we certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see Sergio Perez back on the grid for 2026 and beyond. However, with many drivers out of a seat for next year, who do you think could make a surprise move during the silly season?
