Sergio Perez may reportedly discover a shock new F1 residence – with Mercedes.
Perez was a daily thorn within the aspect of Mercedes because the teammate of Max Verstappen, who was taking up from Lewis Hamilton as Method 1’s prime driver.
However his seek for a return to the grid in 2026, after being axed for this season by Purple Bull, may lead to a shocking swap to his former rivals Mercedes.
Perez has held “preliminary talks” with Toto Wolff’s workforce, Motorsport.com report.
Nevertheless, it could require a domino impact of big driver market strikes earlier than Perez racing a Mercedes turns into a actuality.
Wolff is reportedly maintaining a tally of Perez simply in case he’s left quick by different enormous driver strikes.
It’s recommended that Wolff admires Perez’s skill to develop a automobile, and to assist a teammate.
F1 domino impact to take Sergio Perez to Mercedes?
The set off can be the way forward for Max Verstappen, who’s contracted long-term to Purple Bull, however whose subsequent step stays the supply of debate as a result of his automobile’s lack of competitiveness.
Aston Martin will reportedly launch a huge-money transfer to signal Verstappen for 2026.
Subsequent yr, the F1 2026 rules start giving each workforce an opportunity to construct a dominant period. Aston Martin have Adrian Newey, who beforehand constructed Verstappen’s title-winning Purple Bulls, working of their nook.
If Purple Bull lose their star man, they might reportedly be inquisitive about signing George Russell from Mercedes.
Russell’s present deal expires on the finish of this season – though he has been linked with a profitable pay-rise to stick with Mercedes.
After comprehensively out-qualifying Hamilton final season, Russell is now the workforce’s senior driver alongside rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Within the eventuality that Aston Martin signal Verstappen, then Purple Bull signal Russell, that’s the place the potential for Perez getting a Mercedes drive is available in.
Unlikely, maybe. And it definitely requires a few large offers to be struck earlier than it may well even turn into doable.
However Perez’s identify even being talked about suggests he retains religion throughout the F1 paddock regardless of a horrible ultimate yr at Purple Bull.
He additionally has an choice with Alpine, who’ve swapped Jack Doohan out for Franco Colapinto for the subsequent 5 grands prix.
Cadillac, the eleventh workforce on the grid subsequent yr, have additionally been strongly linked with Perez.
