After a year away from the track, Mexican driver Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez announced his return to Formula 1 with Cadillac Formula 1 Team, which will debut as an official team in the 2026 season.
Aware of the challenge, he maintains an optimistic attitude: “The podium is the goal”.
A new project, a new goal
Cadillac will enter the Grand Circus as the eleventh official Formula 1 team, backed by General Motors and under new regulations for 2026.
Checo Pérez will lead this project together with the experienced Valtteri Bottas, which adds up to a duo with more than 500 Grand Prix races combined.
The team already has a key test start planned:
The engine should be “switched on” by the end of 2025 and run on real track from January 2026, based in Barcelona for the first race test.
“In the short term, the podium is a goal.”
Checo Perez made it clear that, although starting with a rookie team implies challenges, he is convinced that they can climb the ladder quickly.
“We’re going to start from the back and progressively work our way up. But ultimately, in the short term, the podium is a goal.”
He also emphasized that he no longer has anything to prove in his career: “My main goal is to enjoy it again.
This projects brings that excitement back
Checo Pérez
Boosting Latino visibility in Formula 1
For Latino fans in the United States, Checo Perez’s comeback represents more than just a story of perseverance.
But also the possibility that a Mexican driver will once again stand out in the highest category of world motorsport.
Its presence can open up more visibility for motorsports, strengthen the cultural connection with the U.S. and amplify its media impact in the Hispanic community.
This announcement also reflects a new chapter in motoring:
A major U.S. brand (Cadillac) betting on an F1 team and a Latino driver as a leading figure.
The project has strategy, investment and ambition behind it, beyond the symbolic.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
