Checo Pérez agrees to return to Formula 1 with Cadillac

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, August 24, 2025, p. a10

For nearly nine months, the possible return of Mexican Sergio Pérez to Formula 1 generated questions and speculation. In early May, a group of people reported seeing on an app that Checo's private plane was in Miami, where the Grand Prix would be run that weekend and Cadillac would hold its first official event. Some took the news as true, even claiming that the General Motors subsidiary team was preparing for his introduction as a new driver. None of this occurred, nor did it seem to change the Guadalajara native's intention to spend six months on sabbatical, until yesterday, when negotiations took shape, according to specialized media outlets Motorsport and The Race .

Checo, winner of six races on the top circuit—including five with Red Bull—with three pole positions and a runner-up position in the World Drivers' Championship in 2023, has reached an agreement with the owners of Cadillac, "for two to three seasons so that nothing jeopardizes his continuity." The only thing left is the signing of the final contracts, "a process that takes a little more time" before the official announcement on the team's digital platforms, according to the publications. Neither the team nor Formula 1 has issued any information on the matter.

Since leaving Julian Jakobi's management, the Mexican driver is considering contract negotiations with Lebanese Khalil Beschir, who has confirmed he is exploring several options for the future of his career. In response to information released yesterday on social media, the British website RacingNews 365 reported that the Cadillac driver pairing has already been defined for 2026 with Finland's Valterri Bottas and Checo Pérez. "The main terms were agreed upon weeks ago with both parties," The Race reported. The team's intention, the English website explains, is to leverage the experience of both drivers in a year that will be powered by a Ferrari engine.

Regarding the Guadalajara native's possible presentation, the Planet F1 website announced a few days ago that it would take place during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, September 5-7, although Motorsport specified in its publication that it would be even earlier. Cadillac team advisor Mario Andretti has acknowledged during this time that the former Red Bull driver has the characteristics he's looking for to lead his team next year.

▲ Photo AFP

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, August 24, 2025, p. a10

With his fists clenched in the air, Belgian Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) crossed the finish line first in the opening stage of the Vuelta a España upon arrival in the Italian town of Novara, which also served to secure him the first red leader's jersey of the 80th edition of the competition. Philipsen beat out Briton Ethan Vernon and Venezuelan Orluis Aular, who finished second and third respectively. In the absence of Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, the Vuelta got underway with Dane Jonas Vingegaard, who arrived in the main peloton, as the favorite to win on September 14 in Madrid.