Max Verstappen, the Dutch racing sensation, has thrown his weight behind former Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez for a coveted spot at the upcoming Cadillac Formula 1 team. After being unceremoniously replaced by Red Bull last season, Perez has been in the shadows, waiting for his next big break in the world of motorsport. With rumors swirling around Perez potentially joining Cadillac for its F1 debut, Verstappen’s endorsement could be the game-changer that Perez needs.
Verstappen, known for his fearless driving and outspoken nature, lauded Perez’s skills, stating, “Checo has always been very strong.” Highlighting Perez’s consistent performance at Force India and Racing Point, Verstappen emphasized Perez’s ability to secure valuable points for his team. This endorsement from a top-tier driver like Verstappen could solidify Perez’s position in the competitive world of Formula 1.
While Cadillac’s team principal, Graeme Lowdon, has hinted at no rush in finalizing their driver lineup, speculation points to Perez as a frontrunner, especially with Valtteri Bottas potentially looking at other options like Alpine. The endorsement from Verstappen, alongside supportive comments from former Red Bull Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley, further cements Perez’s reputation as a skilled and deserving driver.
Wheatley, now the Team Principal at Sauber, commended Perez’s character and performance on the track, emphasizing his natural talent and work ethic. Praising Perez for his dedication to excellence and his ability to push those around him to perform better, Wheatley’s words shed light on the positive impact Perez could bring to the Cadillac team, should a deal come to fruition.
As the Formula 1 driver market continues to evolve, the spotlight remains on Sergio Perez and his potential future at Cadillac. With the backing of Verstappen and Wheatley, Perez’s journey back to the pinnacle of motorsport could be on the horizon. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the F1 landscape prepares for a potential game-changing addition in the form of Sergio Perez.
STATISTICS
Sergio Michel “Checo” Pérez Mendoza (born 26 January 1990) is a Mexican racing driver, who most recently competed in Formula One from 2011 to 2024. Pérez was a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy until 2012. He took his first Formula One podium at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix with Sauber, a drive which won him plaudits and fuelled speculation of a move to Ferrari in the near future. However, Pérez later told reporters that he expected to stay with Sauber until at least the end of the 2012 season. Due to his young age and performance, he has been referred to as “The Mexican Wunderkind”. Pérez joined McLaren for the 2013 season, but the car failed to deliver the team a single podium finish. Subsequently, for the 2014 season, the team decided to replace Pérez with Danish driver Kevin Magnussen very late into the season almost leaving Pérez without a seat. In December 2013, it was announced that Force India had signed Pérez in a €15 million deal. He remained with Force India after they went into administration in the latter half of 2018, and then their reformation as Racing Point F1 in 2019. Current Season: 8 podium finishes, 3 race wins, 2 pole positions. Championship standings: 2nd place with 285 points. Best lap times: Sector records at 4 circuits. Career wins: 25 victories from 180 starts. Fastest lap awards: 12 career fastest laps. Team performance: Leading constructor’s championship.
