APEX RACEWIRE Newsroom
Cadillac Leadership Firmly Denies Perez-to-Williams Rumours
Cadillac team principal Marcin Budkowski and managing director Dan Towriss have categorically dismissed recent speculation linking Sergio Perez with a move to Williams, affirming the Mexican driver's critical role within their new Formula 1 project.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-08-13T17:17:15.000Z - 2 min read
Cadillac leadership has directly addressed and rejected recent paddock whispers suggesting a potential move for Sergio Perez to the Williams team. Reports had circulated during the summer break about the Mexican driver's future, but new team principal Marcin Budkowski and managing director Dan Towriss have both issued strong statements confirming their commitment to Perez.
In his initial public comments since taking full charge of the team, Budkowski emphasised Perez’s strategic importance to the consolidating Formula 1 project. He highlighted the collective experience of Perez and teammate Valtteri Bottas as crucial for a new outfit like Cadillac. Budkowski noted that relying on two highly experienced drivers provides essential stability, especially when the entire team is still learning and developing.
“Checo has been a huge asset to the team, as have both drivers, to be honest,” Budkowski stated. He explained that a young team faces too many variables if both the drivers and the team itself are simultaneously on a steep learning curve. The team principal underscored Perez's exceptional driving and his vigorous efforts behind the scenes, drawing on years of experience with top teams like Red Bull. Budkowski added that Perez's demanding approach to development each race weekend aligns perfectly with Cadillac's goal of establishing itself in the Formula 1 midfield.
Dan Towriss echoed Budkowski’s sentiments, reinforcing the team's position and directly refuting the Williams speculation. “I want to underline everything Marcin has said,” Towriss declared. He praised Perez's performance and his strong influence in driving the team forward. Towriss expressed considerable confidence in Perez remaining with the American outfit.
Towriss made it clear that the circulated rumours have not caused any distraction within the team. “The Williams rumours don't distract us for a second,” he asserted, adding his conviction that Perez would continue to be seen in a Cadillac Formula 1 car. This unified message from both the team principal and the project’s managing director aims to put an end to the ongoing speculation.
Cadillac, which joined the Formula 1 grid for the 2026 season, initially selected Perez as its lead driver, a decision that Budkowski stated was made with his invaluable experience in mind. The focus remains on leveraging this expertise to navigate the challenging debut phase and work towards their competitive objectives in the premier class of motorsport.