Sergio Perez signs Cadillac deal to 2029 as he prepares for 300th Grand Prix at home
Cadillac has extended Sergio Perez's contract to the end of 2029, days before the Mexican makes his 300th F1 start in front of his home crowd.
Sergio Perez will make his 300th Formula 1 start at his home Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday 1 November with his future settled. Cadillac announced on Wednesday 28 October that it had extended the 36-year-old's contract to at least the end of 2029. The same day an estimated 100,000 fans filled Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma to watch him drive a demonstration run.
The new deal
Sky Sports reported that Perez's original Cadillac contract was understood to run to the end of 2027. The new multi-year agreement adds at least two more seasons, by which point he will be 39. Cadillac chief executive Dan Towriss said Perez would remain an integral part of the team for years to come.
Speaking at Thursday's FIA press conference, Perez said he was happy to have extended and saw Cadillac as the project he wants to finish his career with. He added that he would have no say in choosing his team-mate for 2027. Valtteri Bottas, who also joined Cadillac this year, is understood to be contracted until the end of 2027.
A hard first season, but ahead of his team-mate
Cadillac's first year in F1 has been difficult. The team is the only one without a point in the constructors' championship after 18 rounds, and Perez is at the bottom of the drivers' standings. Even so, Sky noted that he has generally had the upper hand over Bottas. Cadillac sees his experience as central to building the new American team.
Perez is a six-time Grand Prix winner. He was dropped by Red Bull at the end of 2024 and spent 2025 out of F1 before returning with Cadillac. Only Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have started more races on the current grid.
Reforma demonstration and a tough Friday
The Reforma event was a free demonstration run in which Perez drove an adapted Formula 2 car, did doughnuts near the Angel of Independence monument, and then signed autographs. GrandPrix247 said it was his fourth such demonstration in Mexico during his F1 career. Bottas also took part and drew cheers from the crowd by speaking Spanish.
Friday was harder. Cadillac said Perez was unwell but drove both practice sessions anyway, finishing 18th in FP1 and FP2. At Thursday's press conference he also explained that the altitude in Mexico City costs a lot of downforce, which slows the car through the corners.
Milestone race timing for Malaysian fans
Perez's 300th Grand Prix, a 71-lap race, starts at 14:00 local time on Sunday, which is 04:00 Malaysia time (MYT) on Monday 2 November. Qualifying is at 05:00 MYT on Sunday 1 November. His team-mate Bottas will start from the back after a 50-place penalty for new power unit parts.
Key takeaways
- Cadillac has extended Perez's contract to at least the end of 2029.
- The Mexico City Grand Prix will be his 300th F1 start.
- An estimated 100,000 fans watched his Reforma demonstration run on 28 October.
- Cadillac has no points after 18 rounds, but Perez has generally been ahead of Bottas.
- Perez drove both Friday sessions while unwell, finishing 18th in each.
FAQ
Q: How long is Sergio Perez's new Cadillac contract? A: It runs to at least the end of 2029, replacing a deal that was understood to end in 2027.
Q: Is the Mexico City GP really Perez's 300th race? A: Yes. Cadillac and Sky Sports both confirmed it will be his 300th Grand Prix start, at his home race.
Q: What time is the Mexico City Grand Prix in Malaysia? A: The race starts at 04:00 MYT on Monday 2 November, with qualifying at 05:00 MYT on Sunday 1 November.
Sources: Sky Sports, GrandPrix247, Formula1.com, RacingNews365