Rumors of Mexican riders Sergio “Checo” Pérez and Patricio “Pato” O’Ward in Formula One Season (F1) 2026 have fans boiling. With Cadillac officially confirmed as the 11th team to join F1 from 2026, the opportunity to witness an inspiring Mexican duo in the world’s most prestigious race seems closer than ever.
Indodycar star and McLaren F1 test driver Pato O’ward recently expressed his dream of playing in an F1 team with his idol Checo Pérez. In an interview with Fox Deportes, O’Ward said, “I want to run with Checo, to create a Mexican duo. He needs to understand how big Cadillac will be.” He stressed that this combination is not only a personal dream, but could have a huge impact for Mexico and the Cadillac brand worldwide. O’Ward is considered a bright candidate for a race seat at Cadillac, with a young talent and a desire to conquer F1, the racing team is looking for a balance between youth and experience.
Meanwhile, former Red Bull driver Checo Pérez, who has more than a decade of experience in F1, is said to be the top candidate for Cadillac’s remaining racing seat. After leaving Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season, Pérez has expressed his intention to return to F1 in 2026 if he finds a suitable project. Mario Andretti, the legendary F1 and Cadillac consultant, once referred to Pérez as an ideal choice, especially for his thick experience and commercial appeal in the Mexican market. Andretti also stressed that Cadillac is considering many riders, but the name Pérez is always on the priority list.
Cadillac, under the support of General Motors, will enter F1 in 2026 with a Ferrari engine before developing its own engine in 2028. The fact that this racing team brings a new breath to F1 and hiring a duo like Pérez is not only a sporting strategic move, but also a cultural one. A team racing with two Mexican riders would be a source of national pride and could stir up a large number of fans at home, especially when Mexico is one of the familiar stops of F1 with the race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
However, everything has remained in rumors and speculation. Cadillac has not officially announced the identity of the racer, and both Pérez and O’Ward are considering other options. O’Ward still has a contract with Arrow McLaren in Indodycar, while Pérez is said to be negotiating with several F1 teams. Nevertheless, the prospect of two Mexican riders wearing Cadillac has still excited fans. If this becomes a reality, 2026 would mark a historic milestone for F1 and the Mexican racing community.
