Sergio Perez 'Nailed' Cadillac F1 Job Interview, CEO Reveals

Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss has revealed that Sergio Perez "nailed" what was effectively his job interview, leading to the Mexican driver's signing on a multi-year deal.

Why it matters:

Cadillac, set to debut on the F1 grid next season, prioritized an experienced driver pairing. Perez's impressive meeting with Towriss shifted their strategy from potentially signing a younger driver, underscoring the crucial value of veteran presence for a new team entry.

The big picture:

• Cadillac will become the 11th team in F1 next year, initially operating as a Ferrari customer before evolving into a full factory squad.
• The team announced multi-year deals for Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez during the summer break, forming a highly experienced driver lineup.

The details:

• Cadillac had initially considered placing a younger driver alongside Bottas to balance their lineup.
• However, Perez delivered an outstanding performance during a crucial meeting with Towriss, where he discussed his aspirations, his desire to race again, and what he still had left to prove in his career.
• Towriss told Sky F1 that Perez's "experiences really came through. He nailed the meeting. We left really excited about his candidacy."
• This pivotal discussion highlighted Perez's invaluable experience, ultimately convincing the team that a seasoned veteran was the right path forward, outweighing the initial consideration for youth.

What's next:

With an experienced lineup of Perez and Bottas, Cadillac aims to leverage their extensive Formula 1 knowledge for a strong and competitive debut in the highly demanding championship.