Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber team principal and former Red Bull sporting director, has expressed strong support for Sergio Perez as the Mexican driver explores potential opportunities to return to Formula 1. With ongoing Sergio Perez F1 return talks gaining attention, Wheatley’s endorsement comes amid a period of uncertainty following Perez’s recent exit from Red Bull.
The Context Behind Perez’s Current Position in F1
Red Bull chose not to renew Perez’s contract beyond 2024, opting instead to sign Liam Lawson for the 2025 season. However, Lawson’s brief stint ended after only two grands prix, with Yuki Tsunoda taking over the seat. Since then, Perez has taken a step back from the sport to evaluate his future career options.
During this hiatus, Perez has engaged in discussions with several parties, most notably Cadillac and Alpine, as he considers his next move.
Sergio Perez Reflects on Career and Future Choices
In a previous interview with F1.com, Perez shared his thoughts on the break he has taken from racing. He stated,
“It’s been great to have this amount of time to step back a bit, see the sport from the outside and be able to realise the journey that I’ve had so far in many areas,”
expressing appreciation for having time to reflect.
Perez also emphasized his satisfaction with his career, explaining,
“I feel like I’m in a privileged position with my career, knowing that I’ve always maximised all my opportunities and that to me as an athlete is very important.”
He remains cautious about returning to the sport too soon, remarking,
“We are talking to a few parties out there. Once I know all my options, I will make a decision. What is very clear to me is that I’m only coming back if the project makes sense, and it’s something I can enjoy.”
Highlighting the demands of Formula 1, Perez added,
“I’ve spent a long time in F1 already, I’ve done most of it. Once you step back, you realise how much you give up in life to be in the sport. So, to be in F1 fully committed, I need the motivation.”
Wheatley Praises Perez’s Talent and Professionalism
Jonathan Wheatley spoke highly of Perez’s capabilities and personality during an interview with F1.com. He described Perez as having
“a great personality, great attitude to life, full stop,”
and acknowledged his natural speed and skill from early in his career.
Wheatley said,
“He put in some tremendous drives at my former team and I don’t think it’s much of a barrier that he’s had a bit of time off between driving a Formula 1 car because when you know how to do that, you know how to do it.”
Reflecting on his experiences working with Perez, Wheatley explained,
“I spent a lot of time with him early on because I wanted to get to know him and I wanted him to adjust to the team. What I really liked was he pushed me in my sporting role – pushed me very, very hard.”
Wheatley continued by saying,
“He made me question whether I was putting every bit of effort in, not that he was criticising, but he would challenge you in a positive way and I enjoyed it.”
He further noted,
“I think it helped motivate me to become better at my job and I’d like to think maybe it was reciprocal and the work that we did together made him better at his.”
He concluded by emphasizing Perez’s focus on racing, stating,
“He’s fully focused on performance and what do you want from a driver?”
Cadillac Confirms Interest Amid Driver Negotiations
Cadillac’s team principal Graeme Lowdon has publicly confirmed ongoing talks with Sergio Perez, alongside other notable drivers such as Valtteri Bottas and Mick Schumacher. The American team is actively exploring options as it builds its driver lineup for the future.
These developments reflect the sustained interest in Perez’s experience and skill as he considers rejoining F1 under the right circumstances.
The Significance of Perez’s Potential Return
The support from Wheatley and the engagement with teams like Cadillac and Alpine highlight the value Sergio Perez continues to hold within the Formula 1 community. His careful approach to deciding the next step shows a thoughtful balance between passion for racing and the personal sacrifices involved.
As Sergio Perez F1 return talks progress, many fans and experts will be watching closely to see how these discussions unfold, potentially shaping the driver grid for the upcoming seasons and influencing competition dynamics in the sport.
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