Sergio Perez‘s camp is reported to have held initial conversations with Alpine regarding a potential return to Formula 1 in 2026, alongside ongoing talks with Cadillac.
Perez has been resigned to time on the sidelines as his uninterrupted 14-season F1 spell came to an end when Red Bull axed him once the previous campaign ended.
The Mexican’s season unravelled as Red Bull’s competitiveness regressed at an alarming rate, culminating in him contributing 21 points across the closing 10 rounds.
But despite that providing a blemish on his record, the strong reputation that Perez established outside his Red Bull stint has seen him remain an enticing proposition.
Cadillac making push to win Perez race
That has seen him emerge as Cadillac’s leading option to spearhead the side’s driver line-up as the organisation prepares to expand the grid to 11 teams next season.
Perez’s entourage is thought to be engaged in discussions with the American marque, and reports have suggested that a possible three-year deal has been proposed.
Asked whether Perez is a name that is under consideration, Mario Andretti, an advisor to Cadillac’s project, told ESPN: “It’s an option. It could be an option. Of course.”
Perez, who acquired five victories with Red Bull between 2021 and 2024, revealed he would take up to six months to decide whether he wishes to pursue a comeback.
The ex-McLaren driver vowed that would also depend on discovering an environment that “believes in me” and “appreciates” the extensive experience he has attained.
As the newest team on the block, Cadillac has been honest that it is seeking someone who is established within the series – a criterion that, with 281 starts, Perez fits.
Meanwhile, the lucrative sponsorship portfolio that Perez brings would also be an added incentive, with long-time backer Carlos Slim present in the paddock in Miami.
Perez camp holds renewed Alpine talks
But according to The Race, Perez’s revised management arrangement, having reached out to the team late in 2024, made a renewed approach to Alpine last weekend.
The report goes on to state that the talks were held with Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore, who is touted to be “open” to a deal to bring Perez onboard for 2026.
However, Briatore, who is now heading the side again on an interim basis amid Oliver Oakes’ resignation, is prioritising the Enstone-based squad’s existing driver crop.
Briatore was the driving force behind Alpine’s choice to demote Jack Doohan six rounds into the ongoing campaign and promote Franco Colapinto on a five-race deal.
The Italian, 75, explained how the swap was orchestrated to ensure that Alpine goes into the impending regulation change in 2026 with the strongest pairing possible.
This correlates with the comments that Briatore made upon his return last summer, when he proclaimed that Alpine’s driver line-up would be insignificant this season.
“At the moment you need to put the team together, from the commercial side, the technical side, the management side,” he elucidated.
“The driver makes no difference now. The difference will be in 2026, 2027, 2028. This should be the difference for the driver.”
In the scenario where Colapinto doesn’t operate at the expected standard, Briatore could be tempted to become involved in more serious dealings with the Perez clan.
READ MORE – Alpine reveals driving force behind Jack Doohan-Franco Colapinto F1 driver change
