Sergio Perez loving 2025 F1 sabbatical, but will return

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While Sergio Perez (35) is on F1 sabbatical for 2025 and avoiding all the current Red Bull driver chaos, plans are afoot for a Formula One return. Motorsport legend and Cadillac team advisor Mario Andretti has already said the ousted Red Bull driver would be an ‘ideal option’ for the American racing outfit in 2026.

Not only is Perez a proven and highly experienced grand prix winner, but he is strongly backed by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim’s companies. This is something any new team on the F1 grid needs to take into consideration when choosing a driver. Nevertheless, Perez is thoroughly enjoying his 2025 F1 sabbatical. “I have six months,” he told Prodynamics. “I gave myself six months to see what options I have and decide what the next step in my career will be. The doors are open in many places. I have the opportunity to decide what I want with my career. What comes next is important, so I want to give myself the time and space to make the best decision possible,” confirmed Perez.

PEREZ ON F1 SABBATICAL

Lawson received the chop from Red Bull after being the slowest driver all weekend in China. Image: Sky F1

Nevertheless, despite his much-publicised struggles alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen, Perez’s stock has suddenly risen again. This follows his successor – Kiwi Liam Lawson – being ousted from his vacated Red Bull seat after just two races. Worse still, after crashing out in a wet and changeable Melbourne, Lawson was demonstrably the slowest driver overall in a bone-dry Shanghai. “I mean, for certain races last year, Sergio is now looking like a magician,” commented former F1 driver Mark Webber.

Fox Sports claims negotiations between Cadillac and Perez are ‘well underway’. And, as for Cadillac, Andretti admits another Mexican – this one not on F1 sabbatical – is another option. He is, of course, referring to 2025 IndyCar frontrunner Pato O’Ward. Although the team says they may have to fight to extricate him from his existing contract with McLaren. – with GMM