Overview
- Pérez is confirmed to return to Formula 1 in 2026 with the new Cadillac team alongside Valtteri Bottas.
- The team ran an official session at Imola on November 13 and kept data private, while media reported unconfirmed laps in the 1:18.00–1:16.00 range.
- Pérez says this is his final big project and aims to surprise if progress is swift, stressing that starting position matters less than development pace.
- Cadillac’s build is aligned to the 2026 regulation change with reported Ferrari power-unit support, and team director Graeme Lowdon says Pérez was chosen on merit to help build the squad.
- External skepticism persists, including a pundit’s prediction of a back-row debut in Australia, as the program targets collective tests in Barcelona (January 26–30) and Bahrain (February 11–13) before the season opener in Melbourne on March 8.