Sergio Perez’s Formula 1 comeback with Cadillac was supposed to mark the beginning of an ambitious new chapter for both driver and team. Instead, just five races into the 2026 season, growing reports now suggest the Mexican veteran could already be considering an early exit as frustration builds inside the struggling American project.
Cadillac entered Formula 1 with enormous expectations, signing experienced names Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas to guide the team through its debut campaign under Formula 1’s brand-new regulations. The idea was clear: use proven veterans to accelerate development, stabilize operations, and help establish Cadillac as a serious long-term contender on the grid.
But reality has been far more brutal.
While Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren continue battling near the front, Cadillac have spent much of the season fighting simply to avoid the back row. The team remains one of only two constructors yet to score consistently, with Perez enduring an especially difficult run that has raised serious questions about his future.
According to Dutch F1 journalist Jacky Martins, Perez is already attracting attention from rival teams higher up the grid, and sources believe he would seriously consider leaving Cadillac if a stronger opportunity emerges. That possibility alone highlights the growing uncertainty surrounding the project.
Speaking on the Paddock Access podcast, Martins claimed Cadillac may struggle to retain Perez if another competitive team approaches him.
“I know there is interest from some teams,” Martins revealed. “More than one. Cadillac would love to keep him, but it’s going to be very hard to keep him. If he can get a promotion to a better team, a bit further up the grid, of course he would consider.”
Those comments have immediately intensified speculation throughout the Formula 1 paddock.
Perez returned to Formula 1 hoping to rebuild his reputation after losing his Red Bull seat, but the early signs at Cadillac have been worrying. The 36-year-old has yet to finish higher than 16th this season, while reliability problems continue hurting both drivers. At the Canadian Grand Prix, Perez retired after a suspension failure, while Bottas could only manage 16th place.
For a driver who spent years fighting for podiums and race victories, the current situation represents a massive adjustment.
The challenge for Cadillac is that their struggles were always expected to some degree. New Formula 1 teams rarely become competitive immediately, especially under fresh regulations. Gathering data, improving infrastructure, and developing a long-term technical philosophy takes time. In many ways, 2026 was always going to be a learning season.
However, Perez may not have the luxury of patience.
At 36 years old, the Mexican driver is fully aware that his remaining Formula 1 years are limited. Spending multiple seasons trapped at the back of the grid may not appeal to someone who has already experienced championship-level machinery and race-winning performances. That is why reports of outside interest could become increasingly important as the season progresses.
The situation surrounding Valtteri Bottas only adds more uncertainty.
Recent rumors have suggested Cadillac are also evaluating changes on the other side of the garage, with reserve driver and American racing star Colton Herta strongly linked to a future race seat. Herta’s potential arrival would fit Cadillac’s broader vision of building a distinctly American identity inside Formula 1.
Yet replacing either Perez or Bottas this early would be a major gamble.
One of Cadillac’s biggest advantages entering Formula 1 was experience. Perez and Bottas brought technical knowledge, leadership, and calmness during a period where the team desperately needed stability. Introducing an inexperienced rookie too soon could create even bigger developmental problems for a squad already struggling to find performance.
At the same time, Formula 1 is ruthless.
If Cadillac believe a younger driver offers more long-term value, difficult decisions could arrive faster than expected. Formula 1 teams rarely wait patiently when results are not arriving, especially with the enormous financial pressure involved in modern motorsport.
Perez’s own future may ultimately depend on what opportunities become available elsewhere.
Several teams could face driver market changes over the next 12 months, especially with uncertainty surrounding veterans across the grid. If Perez receives an offer from a midfield contender capable of fighting regularly for points, it would not be surprising to see him seriously consider walking away from Cadillac before the project fully matures.
Still, abandoning the team so early would also carry risks.
Cadillac’s project is clearly designed for long-term growth, and early struggles do not necessarily define where the team could be in two or three years. Formula 1 history is filled with examples of teams needing time before becoming competitive. Even Mercedes and Red Bull endured rebuilding phases before turning into dominant forces.
That is why the next few races could become crucial.
If Cadillac continue falling behind the midfield, pressure will intensify around both drivers and management. But if the team can unlock improvements during the European leg of the season, Perez may reconsider his position and commit more firmly to the project.
For now, uncertainty dominates the conversation.
The Monaco Grand Prix could become another defining moment in Cadillac’s difficult debut campaign, while the driver market rumors surrounding Perez and Bottas continue growing louder with every passing race weekend.
Analysis: Why Perez May Already Be Losing Patience
Perez built his Formula 1 reputation on consistency, tire management, and delivering strong results even in difficult machinery. But Cadillac’s current package appears far from competitive, and repeated reliability failures are only increasing frustration.
What makes the situation more complicated is Perez’s career stage. Younger drivers can afford to wait through rebuilding projects because time is on their side. Perez does not have that luxury anymore. If a better opportunity appears, especially with a team capable of scoring regular points, the temptation to leave could become impossible to ignore.
Prediction
Unless Cadillac shows major improvement before the summer break, speculation surrounding Sergio Perez’s future will only intensify. The most realistic scenario may involve Perez remaining through 2026 before exploring a final move elsewhere for 2027.
At the same time, Cadillac’s interest in Colton Herta feels increasingly serious. If results continue disappointing, Formula 1 could witness its first major driver shake-up of the new regulation era much sooner than expected.