Former Red Bull Formula One driver Sergio Perez has set one condition on his potential return to the sport. The clarification arrives amid rumors of his talks with the Alpine F1 team to race this year.
Perez has been without a confirmed seat for the future after Red Bull parted ways with him at the end of 2024. However, being an experienced driver with nearly 15 years of premier class experience, the Mexican driver is in no hurry to return to the sport.
Setting a criterion, Perez confirmed that he would return to F1 only if a project appealed to him, making it clear that he will in no way agree to a reserve driver role and wait on the sidelines for a full-time seat. Speaking on Desde El Paddock, he said:
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“The answer is yes, I do want to return, but only if the right project comes along, one where I feel I truly belong or should be.
“I don’t want to come back at any cost. I’m not interested in traveling around the world as a third driver or just waiting around for an opportunity.
“I feel fortunate for the career I’ve had, and I do want to come back – because I don’t want my career to end like this.
“But I’m also fully aware that I’ll only return if it’s truly worth the price you have to pay to be in Formula 1 – 24 races, and an entire life dedicated to the sport.”
Perez qualifies as a fit for the Cadillac F1 team, which is considering having one experienced F1 driver and one young driver for its debut lineup next year, when it enters the grid as the sport’s eleventh team. This could be Perez’s chance to be a part of history in the making, especially since the project truly resonates with him. When asked if he would be an advantage for a new team like Cadillac, he said:
“Yes, I believe it 100 per cent. If you look at my years with Force India, and then later with Red Bull – pushing the team forward race by race, and eventually becoming a winning team – that’s exactly the kind of environment I’m looking for.
“A team with that mentality, that unity. For me, that’s more important than any trophy or achievement: finding a project where the driver feels truly motivated.”
Recent rumors suggest that Alpine was in talks with Perez for a 2025 seat. However, the 35-year-old driver has ruled out an F1 comeback this year. He said:
“Things are going well, but I think it’s still early in the season.
“As time goes on, things will become clearer, and I’ll be able to make a final decision.
“I’m not in a rush – I know I won’t be in F1 this year, so we’ll see what happens for next year.”