Sergio Perez has confirmed discussions with several teams about a potential return to Formula 1 in 2026.
After a challenging season that led to losing his Red Bull seat at the end of last year, the 35-year-old Mexican driver found himself without a spot on the grid. This marked the first time since his debut in 2011, after participating in 281 races.
Despite relative silence since his departure, speculation arose about Cadillac potentially targeting him for their debut in the sport next year. Perez has now acknowledged interest from `a few` teams.
`If a project resonates with me, where the team demonstrates belief in my abilities and values my experience and contributions, it would be highly appealing,` Perez stated on the official F1 website.
`Therefore, I`ve allocated at least six months to explore all available options and decide my next career move.`
Regarding the interest in him, Perez added, `Several intriguing projects are on the horizon. Since Abu Dhabi, multiple teams have approached me. With the season underway, more opportunities are likely to emerge in the coming months.`
`We are in discussions with various parties. My return will depend on finding a project that is both meaningful and enjoyable.`
Perez noted that in the fast-paced world of F1, memories are short. He expressed encouragement from the interest in him, stating, `People are recognizing the challenging nature of my previous position in F1 and acknowledge my overall strong performance.`
He referred to the second seat at Red Bull, which has already seen another driver change since he left.
Liam Lawson, his initial replacement, struggled in the RB21 during the first two races of the season, failing to advance beyond the first qualifying round in each and not scoring any points. Consequently, Yuki Tsunoda, a more seasoned driver, has been chosen to partner Max Verstappen starting from the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.
`Especially last year, I felt I couldn`t fully demonstrate my capabilities as a driver,` Perez added. `Now, there`s a growing recognition of how demanding the car is to handle.`
`When I joined Red Bull, several accomplished drivers had faced difficulties, including Alex [Albon] and Pierre [Gasly], who are both exceptional drivers. They also struggled.`
`My extended tenure at Red Bull might have obscured the inherent difficulty of driving the car, which was indeed a challenge.`
However, Perez emphasized his support for the team`s success and commented on Tsunoda: `Yuki possesses the talent, the speed, and crucially, the mental fortitude required to succeed in that environment.`
`I believe he has the right mindset and approach to handle it effectively.`
