Checo Pérez Edging Closer to Cadillac

After a summer filled with speculation—and following a countdown on social media that generated huge buzz—Sergio “Checo” Pérez still hasn’t officially confirmed his Formula 1 future. However, according to British outlet Planet F1, the Mexican driver has already reached an agreement with Cadillac, the new American team debuting in 2026, and the announcement is scheduled for the Italian Grand Prix in Monza (September 5–7).

The choice of date would be no coincidence: Monza is one of the most iconic stops on the calendar and lines up perfectly with the deadline Checo himself set back in March, when he told Prodynamics he would give himself six months to decide on his future.

Planet F1 Reveals the Deal’s Details

The British site reports that Cadillac was seeking an experienced driver to lead the team in its Formula 1 debut, and after holding talks with several outfits, Pérez committed to the American project. The deal was reportedly finalized after months of uncertainty and multiple offers the Mexican weighed before making his decision.

While there are still eight seats open for 2026, options like Red Bull, Racing Bulls, and Mercedes were ruled out for Checo early on. Talks were also held with Alpine, but according to journalist Julianne Cerasoli, negotiations went nowhere, leaving Cadillac as the only viable path.

The Second Seat Remains a Mystery

While all signs point to Checo being the face of the new team, Cadillac has yet to decide on its second driver. Names in the mix include Felipe Drugovich, Jak Crawford, Alex Dunne, and veteran Valtteri Bottas.

Led by Graeme Lowdon (former Manor Marussia CEO) and backed by the Andretti family, the team aims to pair the Mexican’s experience with young talent, hoping for a competitive debut in Formula 1.