Simply staying on the sidelines, Sergio Perez was a good reputation in 2025.
This is the point of view of Emerson Fittipaldi, legend of Formula 1, which deplores the end of Perez’s career at Red Bull, but is delighted with the possible return of Mexican on the starting grid with Cadillac next year … or Alpine F1! (Read here).
“Checo Perez was an excellent representative for us (the Latin American), but he was not really heard by his team. Today it’s blatant,” said Brazilian Fittipaldi, a double F1 world champion.
Perez, ousted for his poor performances, was replaced by Liam Lawson for the start of the 2025 season, but the performances of the young New Zealander were even more disastrous and he was quickly replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.
“This year, we are witnessing tests with pilots to evolve with Max Verstappen, and in my opinion, they are worse than Checo.”
“Perez won in Monaco, he won in Bakou – very difficult urban circuits – and he is very fast. We can see the difficulties now. Red Bull changes pilots to see who is getting closer to Verstappen with a very average car, but Checo was the best.”
Another F1 legend, Mario Andretti, Cadillac advisor and F1 world champion also, did not hide that Perez is envisaged for a boat in 2026.
“The pilot situation is being evaluated, and we look at who is available according to the level of experience required. As we said to Miami, Perez corresponds perfectly to this profile.”
“This is one of the candidates that we could potentially approach, but for the moment, I am unable to say more.”
Fittipaldi encourages Perez and Cadillac to unite.
“General Motors arrives in Formula 1 with the Cadillac brand and a very serious program, and Checo is undoubtedly a very serious candidate.”
Even the one who ousted Perez, Christian Horner, the director of the Red Bull team, is of the same opinion.
“Obviously, last year was difficult for Checo, but it is encouraging to see that a return is envisaged. He is a very experienced pilot and a real winner. It is a very popular pilot. It would be good to see him on the grid.”
