If you’ve been following Formula 1 for more than a few seasons, you’ll know that the sport’s silly season rarely restricts itself to the off-track paddock. Sometimes, the real drama happens not in the slipstream, but in the boardrooms, the press rooms, and—occasionally—the Hollywood backlot. Welcome to July 2025, where the ghosts of Red Bull’s past, the ambitions of Cadillac’s future, and the undying spirit of Sergio Perez have collided in a spectacle that would make even Bernie Ecclestone raise an eyebrow.
The Cadillac Gambit: America’s Second Coming
Let’s start with the headline that has the F1 world buzzing louder than a V10 on a qualifying lap: Cadillac, that most American of automotive icons, is on the verge of making its Formula 1 debut. And who’s at the top of their shopping list for a driver? None other than Sergio Perez, the man who has made a career out of being underestimated.
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Perez and Bottas are ‘interested’ in Cadillac after talks with the team!
Perez has now personally talked to the team but not at Silverstone as the Mexican is avoiding the F1 paddock for now.
The earliest a driver could be given the ‘green light’ is after the Indycar in Iowa… pic.twitter.com/0gt8p35UGm
For those with short memories (or who only started watching after “Drive to Survive” made F1 fashionable in Brooklyn), American teams have not exactly set the world alight since the turn of the millennium. Haas F1, founded in 2016, remains the only American team to have actually made it to the grid since 1986, with a best finish of 5th in the Constructors’ Championship in 2018. The ill-fated US F1 Team of 2010? Never even turned a wheel in anger.
But Cadillac, led by Team Principal Graeme Lowdon, is determined to avoid the fate of their predecessors. They’re not just looking for a driver; they’re looking for a statesman, a motivator, and—let’s be honest—a proven point-scorer. Enter Checo Perez.
Checo: The Man Who Refuses to Fade
Sergio Perez’s Formula 1 journey is the stuff of motorsport folklore. From his debut with Sauber in 2011, through the wilderness years at McLaren and Force India, to his late-career renaissance at Red Bull Racing, Perez has been the sport’s ultimate survivor. His first win at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix—after 190 races—was a masterclass in perseverance, and his runner-up finish in the 2023 World Championship proved he could still mix it with the very best.
As Jonathan Wheatley, Red Bull’s former Sporting Director, put it in a recent interview:
“Firstly, I really enjoyed working with Checo. He’s a great personality, great attitude to life, full stop. I have no doubt about his pace and his speed. It’s been natural since the beginning.”
Jonathan Wheatley
Perez’s departure from Red Bull at the end of 2024 was, in many ways, inevitable. Outperformed by Max Verstappen (but then, who hasn’t been?), Checo found himself at a crossroads. But unlike so many before him, he didn’t slink off into the sunset. Instead, he’s been in talks with several teams—including Cadillac and Alpine—about a return to the grid.
And why not? As Wheatley himself noted:
“I don’t think it’s much of a barrier that he’s had a bit of time off between driving a Formula 1 car because when you know how to do that, you know how to do it.”
Jonathan Wheatley
Red Bull’s New Era: Mekies at the Helm
While Perez contemplates his next move, Red Bull Racing is undergoing its own seismic shift. Christian Horner, the team’s talismanic principal since 2005, has finally stepped aside. In his place stands Laurent Mekies, fresh from a stint at Racing Bulls and now tasked with steering the Milton Keynes juggernaut through the most turbulent regulatory waters in decades.
Mekies, on his first day as Team Principal and CEO, was candid about the challenge ahead:
“Formula 1 is going to face probably the biggest change of regulation in its history [in 2026], and it has a very particular place for Red Bull as we go with our own power unit. It’s going to be an incredible challenge, and everyone will go about it all together. I’m sure with adding everyone’s contributions as a team, we will tackle this challenge.”
Laurent Mekies
The 2026 regulations promise to upend the established order: more efficient, hybrid-heavy power units, active aerodynamics, sustainable fuels, and a cost cap that might finally force teams to choose between a new front wing and another round of canapés in the hospitality suite. Red Bull, with its own power unit project and a new boss at the helm, faces a test not seen since the Vettel era.
Hollywood on the Grid: The APXGP and the F1 Movie
If all this wasn’t enough, Formula 1 has found itself the subject of a genuine Hollywood blockbuster. Brad Pitt’s “F1: The Movie” has not only smashed box office records but also brought the sport’s glamour and grit to a new generation of fans. The APXGP car, built for the film, is a technical marvel in its own right—a Frankenstein’s monster of F2 chassis, Mercedes bodywork, and enough cinematic flair to make even the most jaded engineer smile.
For a behind-the-scenes look at how the APXGP car was built, and to see just how close Hollywood came to capturing the real thing, check out this fascinating feature: How the APXGP car was built for F1: The Movie
And if you want to see F1 drivers answering the internet’s most burning questions (including “Why are F1 tires smooth?” and “Do F1 drivers drive with both feet?”), don’t miss this YouTube gem: Formula 1 Drivers Answer The Most Googled Formula 1 Questions | WIRED
The Streaming Wars: Apple’s $150 Million Play
As if the sport needed more drama, Apple has reportedly submitted a $150 million-a-year bid for exclusive U.S. streaming rights, threatening to wrest control from ESPN. With the success of the Brad Pitt movie and the ever-growing American audience, Liberty Media’s gamble on the U.S. market looks set to pay off—assuming, of course, that fans are willing to wake up at 5 a.m. to watch the races.
For those keeping score, ESPN’s current deal is worth $75–90 million per year, and viewership has hovered around 1.2 million per race. Will Apple’s deep pockets and Hollywood connections finally make F1 a mainstream American obsession? Or will the time zones and the sport’s European heartland prove too much to overcome?
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Perez in Perspective
Let’s take a moment to appreciate just how remarkable Sergio Perez’s career has been. Here’s a quick look at his journey:
| Year(s) | Team | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| 2011–2012 | Sauber | First podiums |
| 2013 | McLaren | Difficult season |
| 2014–2018 | Force India | Regular points, podiums |
| 2019–2020 | Racing Point | First F1 win (2020 Sakhir GP) |
| 2021–2024 | Red Bull Racing | Multiple wins, 2nd in 2023 standings |
Perez’s ability to galvanize a team, to push those around him to be better, is legendary. As Wheatley recalled:
“What I really liked was he pushed me in my sporting role – pushed me very, very hard. He made me question whether I was putting every bit of effort in, not that he was criticising but he would challenge you in a positive way and I enjoyed it.”
Jonathan Wheatley
Cadillac’s Calculated Risk: Lessons from History
If Cadillac does indeed sign Perez, they’ll be getting more than just a fast pair of hands. They’ll be getting a driver who knows how to build a team, who understands the grind of the midfield, and who has tasted the champagne of victory. But history is littered with the wreckage of ambitious new teams—Toyota, BMW, and even Jaguar (the team Red Bull bought in 2004) all arrived with deep pockets and big dreams, only to discover that Formula 1 is a cruel mistress.
The difference this time? Perhaps it’s the convergence of American money, Hollywood glamour, and a driver who simply refuses to give up. Or perhaps, as ever, it will come down to who can build the fastest car and make the fewest mistakes.
Waste a Bit More Time
If you’ve made it this far, you’re clearly as addicted to the drama as I am. Here are a few ways to waste a bit more of your day:
- Wheatley insists Perez can still deliver in F1 amid Cadillac reports
- Laurent Mekies reflects on first day at Red Bull as he sets out key focus for the team
- Apple new frontrunner for F1 streaming rights over ESPN in U.S.: Report
- How the APXGP car was built for F1: The Movie
- Formula 1 Drivers Answer The Most Googled Formula 1 Questions | WIRED
