Perez states conditions for F1 return as Cadillac confirms interest

Sergio Perez revealed he has been approached by some Components 1 groups since leaving the championship on the finish of the 2024 season – however he wants a challenge which motivates him.

The six-time grand prix winner partnered Max Verstappen at Purple Bull from 2021 to 2024, however a poor last season the place Perez completed 285 factors behind his world champion team-mate brought about him to lose his seat.

It left Perez with out a drive for this 12 months and the Mexican has laid down the situations that should be met for him to return to the sequence having already talked to some constructors.

“If I discover a challenge that motivates me absolutely to return again, the place the group consider in me and the place they admire my profession, my expertise and all the pieces I can convey to a group, it could be very enticing to think about it,” Perez told F1.com. 

“That’s why I’ve given myself at the very least six months to get all my choices on the desk and decide on what I do subsequent with my profession.

“There are a number of very attention-grabbing initiatives on the market. I’ve been approached by a number of groups since Abu Dhabi. Proper now, the season has began so a number of issues will open up within the coming months.

“We’re speaking to a couple events on the market. As soon as I do know all my choices, I’ll decide. What could be very clear to me is that I’m solely coming again if the challenge is smart, and it’s one thing I can take pleasure in.

“I’ve spent a very long time in F1 already, I’ve performed most of it. When you step again, you realise how a lot you hand over in life to be within the sport. So, to be in F1 absolutely dedicated, I would like the motivation.”

Perez was a really highly-rated driver earlier than his Purple Bull struggles, having completed fourth within the 2020 standings for Racing Level. So, regardless of a disappointing last season, he nonetheless seems again on his profession with satisfaction.

“Individuals have brief reminiscences in F1,” he added. “Inside a few races, they overlook what you might have performed. Individuals realise that my place was not the best one in F1 – and I’ve performed extraordinarily properly general.”

One group that could be considering Perez is Cadillac, which is about to hitch the F1 grid in 2026 after longstanding curiosity.

The 1978 world champion Mario Andretti is on the board of administrators at Cadillac and he beforehand confirmed that Perez is an choice.

“It might be an choice, in fact,” he mentioned. “All I can say is that [Perez’s Red Bull replacement] Liam Lawson is making Checo look very, excellent. [Yuki] Tsunoda, I believe he in all probability deserved that seat greater than Liam. However who am I?”