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Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing. Picture: Red Bull Content Pool

Perez’s path back to F1 includes an unusual twist, Cadillac chief reveals

10:05, 16 Sep

bySamson Ero

Sergio Perez is set to return to the Formula 1 grid in the 2026 season. However, ahead of his imminent comeback, Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon has teased the rather unusual routine the Mexican is engaged in as part of his preparation.

Sergio Perez during the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Photos: Race Pictures

“He's doing a bit of karting.”

- Graeme Lowdon

The 60-year-old, speaking in an interview with F1.com, was quizzed about Perez getting back up to speed following his year off from racing after his Red Bull Racing exit. Responding, Lowdon explained that the six-time Grand Prix winner is currently engaged in karting and will soon take to the American outfit’s simulator ahead of the 2026 campaign.

"I don't think he will have forgotten how to drive, that's for sure. He's doing a bit of karting, and we'll have him on the simulator quite soon. We're going to do some testing in real-world cars as well. So I've got no doubts that he'll be back up to speed in time.”

Perez has largely been away from the high-octane world of Formula 1 since the announcement of his departure from Red Bull at the conclusion of the season. The Mexican will team up alongside Valtteri Bottas, who currently serves as a reserve driver for Mercedes, for the 2026 campaign with Cadillac.

Lowdon: 2026 regulation will help Perez get up to speed

Graeme Lowdon also weighed in on Cadillac’s potential advantage for the 2026 season. The British motorsport chief stressed that changes to pre-season testing would also help the 35-year-old get in sync with the action.

"Obviously, one of the advantages that we have in 2026 is that, unlike a normal championship year where there's only three days of testing, for 2026 there’s going to be an initial test in Barcelona and then two additional tests in Bahrain. We'll have three times the amount of testing, so that will help get them up to speed as well."

The 2026 campaign will feature three-day private testing sessions in Barcelona and Bahrain, allowing teams to run their new chassis and power units ahead of the season’s commencement.

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