Perez confirms rival team talks but insists Cadillac remains his long-term project

Sergio Perez has confirmed that his management held talks with rival Formula 1 teams about a potential 2027 drive, but insists he remains fully committed to Cadillac and views the project as a long-term endeavour.

Speaking on Formula 1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, the Mexican driver acknowledged that “a few teams have been calling” but said his position had not changed. “I see this as my project and I want to be part of Cadillac,” Perez said. “I don’t think this is a one-year project. I think this is a long-term project that I want to be part of.”

Perez’s management had been linked with Williams as a potential destination, with discussions reportedly contingent on Carlos Sainz leaving the Grove team. That avenue closed when Sainz signed a multi-year extension with Williams earlier this year. Perez was also connected to Alpine, but the Enstone outfit opted to retain Franco Colapinto for 2027 following the Argentine’s improved performances across his first full season.

Beyond his own future, Perez outlined what he wants to see from Cadillac in the remainder of the current campaign. The team is in its debut season and has competed in just 11 races in its history, and Perez is eager to see progress both on and off the track.

“Closing out the gap to the teams ahead of us,” he said, citing Williams and Aston Martin as benchmarks. “Being able to close that gap will only allow us to start next year in a much better shape.”

Perez also pointed to operational improvements — pitstops, strategy, and tyre management — as areas where Cadillac must develop, not just outright pace. He expressed enthusiasm about working with new team principal Marcin Budkowski, who replaced Graeme Lowdon during the summer break.

“I’m looking forward to working with Marcin and seeing his leadership,” Perez said. “There’s a lot of room for improvement — not just on performance, operationally, pitstops, strategy, tyres. There’s so much still.”

The comments paint a picture of a driver who, despite attracting interest elsewhere, has chosen to anchor himself to a project he believes in rather than chase a short-term opportunity at an established team.