Cadillac in 'no rush' to name Perez's 2027 teammate as American driver question lingers

Cadillac has tied Sergio Perez down for at least three more seasons, but team principal Marcin Budkowski insists there is "no rush" to fill the seat alongside him — even with an American driver firmly on the wish list.

Why it matters:

Cadillac races under an American flag and is deliberately building a US identity. Yet Budkowski framed nationality as a bonus rather than a mandate, calling it "a question of timing. The right driver when the team is ready for it."

The details:

• Perez's extension was announced ahead of his home race in Mexico City, where he marked his 300th Grand Prix start. Budkowski said the deal was earned "on the track" — Perez has been the quicker and more complete driver all year.
• Colton Herta ran a fifth FP1 of the season in Mexico and contributes simulator work at the factory, but still needs another 100km to complete his FIA Super Licence. The Californian sits 19th in F2 after a tricky transition from IndyCar.
• Mercedes reserve Fred Vesti has publicly declared interest in the seat and turned heads in Mexico, lapping within a tenth of Kimi Antonelli.
• Valtteri Bottas, whose best result remains a P13 in China, was told simply to perform "race in, race out" after a strong Austin weekend.

Between the lines:

Budkowski conceded Cadillac cannot yet guarantee equal machinery, describing a car "put together in a very short period of time" by people who had never worked together before. Neither team nor driver can currently explain Bottas's swings in pace — and that uncertainty complicates any judgement being made on him.

What's next:

No timeline has been set for an announcement. Herta remains the romantic option, Vesti the form option, Bottas the known quantity.