AUSTIN – Cadillac Team Principal Marcin Budkowski has stopped short of ruling out a potential change to its Formula 1 driver line-up for 2027.
The American squad has tackled its nascent steps in F1 and its maiden season with the experience of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas behind the wheel.
Perez has dazzled in the MAC-26 challenger, albeit out of the limelight, as it were, with the car predictably towards the wrong end of the grid.
Bottas, by contrast, has not performed perhaps as well as the Silverstone-based squad might have hoped, which led to early-season rumours he may be replaced.
In a recent interview with Motorsport.com, Perez hinted of an eye looking towards retirement, despite returning motivated to prove his speed after his unceremonious axing from Red Bull.
“I really enjoy Formula 1 and am happy to be back, and I’m now in an environment where I really enjoy the races,” the Mexican said.
“Ultimately, it’s my passion, but I’m also aware of my family and my children.
“It’s very tempting to stay in this sport that we enjoy so much, isn’t it?
“But for me, my children undoubtedly come first; I want to spend more time with them, especially as they are now entering a crucial age. I don’t have much time left.”
Perez ‘not acting close to retirement’
Ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, Budkowski was tackled on the issue about Perez’s words, and quelled any fears he could call it a day sooner than expected.
“Look, for a driver like Checo, who, as you said, has a huge amount of experience and a number of races, I can tell you he doesn’t behave or drive like a driver who is anywhere close to retirement,” the Pole told media, including Motorsport Week.
“He’s pushing very hard behind the wheel. He’s pushing us very hard also behind the scenes, in the debrief rooms and outside, and regularly texting me and other members of the team to push us to improve.
“He’s hungry, he’s motivated, and that’s actually really good to see.”
Referring to the stereotypical Finnish coolness of Bottas and the more fiery Latin contrast from Perez, Budkowski continued: “He does it in his own style. We have two drivers: one is more hot and one is probably more cold, if we could say, from there.
“And they both push the team in their own particular ways, but Checo is, yes, pushing us very hard. And just looking at the way his body language on the grid, when he gets his helmet on and he gets in the car, he’s getting ready for a fight.
“There’s a lot of fire, there’s a lot of motivation there, so it’s really impressive for a driver of this experience. And at the same time, we’re getting his feedback and his input in terms of, as an experienced driver. So yes, he’s a very good combination.”
‘Pretty much all’ out-of-contract F1 drivers ‘in touch’ with Cadillac
Asked whether Esteban Ocon could form part of next year’s line-up in a reserve role, Budkowski respectfully would not disclose details, but confirmed that a number of drivers looking for a seat have been in-touch.
“Well, look, as a Team Principal, and I’m sure it’s the same with my colleagues, you’re getting calls and contacts from every driver or driver manager that is on the market,” he said. “So, there are a number of drivers and managers who have contacted me.
“I’m not going to say who it is or who it isn’t, but pretty much all of them that are on the market have been in touch, as you’d expect.
“But yes, I think it’s the last place here, as you can imagine, where I would communicate anything on driver line-up.
“My marketing and communications department would kill me if I did that!”
When pressed for details as to whether Perez and Bottas indeed have contracts for 2027, Budkowski batted away any concrete information.
“Again, this is the last place I would comment on driver contracts, and in general, I think it’s not something that is done in the press,” he reaffirmed.
“It’s something which will be done by official releases from the team when the time is right.”
READ MORE – Toto Wolff’s son Jack unharmed after dramatic karting crash in Italy
Discussion about this post