Sergio Pérez has delivered a genuinely impressive start to his 2026 comeback season with Cadillac. Competing for a brand-new team making its Formula 1 debut was never going to be straightforward, but the Mexican has exceeded expectations — outperforming teammate Valtteri Bottas and at times mixing it with more established midfield outfits like Aston Martin.

Few expected Pérez to return to F1 at this level, particularly given the manner of his Red Bull exit and the controversy surrounding it. But he has silenced the doubters, and that form has apparently not gone unnoticed by other teams on the grid that are looking to improve their lineups.

Journalist Jym Kilian reported that more than one team has expressed interest in Pérez ahead of the next driver market cycle. The reason, he explained, goes beyond pace alone — the Mexican also brings substantial financial backing from his sponsor portfolio, which makes him a highly attractive proposition for any team looking to improve both its performance and its commercial position.

Kilian noted that while Cadillac would love to keep him, retaining Pérez may prove very difficult if a better seat becomes available further up the grid. One possibility that's very likely after the new rumors that are surrounding drivers like Max Verstappen or Fernando Alonso.

One of the key questions surrounding Pérez's future is the length of his current deal. According to journalist Diego Mejía, who closely covers motorsport, Checo's arrangement with Cadillac is structured as a two-year deal with an option for a third — a so-called 2+1 contract.

Pérez himself has reportedly stated his intention to see the project through and has not set a personal deadline on his involvement. On the financial side, PlanetF1.com has reported that Pérez signed a multi-year contract with Cadillac carrying a base salary in the region of ten million dollars — broadly comparable to what he was earning at Red Bull.

Beyond that base, he is also set to receive performance-related bonuses tied to championship positions, podiums, and victories. His earnings are further supplemented by a percentage of official merchandise sales — a clause that carries particular weight given that Pérez was reportedly responsible for more than 60% of Red Bull's online merchandise revenue during his time there.

That commercial pull was apparently a factor in Cadillac's decision to sign him, though the team is also understood to have valued him primarily as a driver rather than simply as a commercial vehicle