{"id":34958,"date":"2025-05-10T19:57:35","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T18:57:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/formula1news.co.uk\/?p=34958"},"modified":"2025-12-31T02:14:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T02:14:02","slug":"mclaren-driver-breaks-silence-on-cadillac-contract-and-sergio-perez-rumour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/formula1news.co.uk\/mclaren-driver-breaks-silence-on-cadillac-contract-and-sergio-perez-rumour\/","title":{"rendered":"McLaren driver breaks silence on Cadillac F1 contract and Sergio Perez rumour"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Andretti-Cadillac<\/a>\u2019s bid to join the 2026 grid has triggered rampant driver speculation, and McLaren IndyCar star Pato O\u2019Ward found himself thrust into the conversation alongside compatriot Sergio Perez<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 25-year-old attended Miami\u2019s launch of Cadillac\u2019s livery, then watched social media link his name to one of two vacant seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

O\u2019Ward Admits He Fanned the Flames<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cornered by paddock photographer Kym Illman, the smiling Mexican owned up to trolling the rumour mill:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Everyone kept saying Cadillac! You and Checo,\u201d O\u2019Ward told<\/a> the media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd I was like, you know what, I\u2019m going to add some logs to the fire, and I\u2019m going to poke them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added with disarming honesty: \u201cThat was just me having fun with it, there\u2019s been no contact at all. No contact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why a Mexican F1 Team Would Matter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite denying talks, O\u2019Ward warmed to the prospect of an all-Mexican lineup under General Motors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI do think it would be really cool to have a full on Mexican team, two full time Mexican drivers in a Formula 1 team that would be historic for the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI mean the country would fall. But you never know if it becomes true.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The emotional appeal underscores Mexico\u2019s swelling motorsport audience, already galvanized by Perez\u2019s success and the carnival atmosphere at Aut\u00f3dromo Hermanos Rodr\u00edguez each October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andretti\u2019s Options Still Wide Open<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mario Andretti confirmed earlier this year that Cadillac holds interest in Perez, but insiders suggest as many as three other candidates\u2014including reserve driver Mick Schumacher\u2014remain on the shortlist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With FIA approval still pending for the outfit\u2019s 2026 debut, driver negotiations are unofficial and fluid. O\u2019Ward\u2019s denial narrows the field but also highlights the team\u2019s marketing challenge: securing talent that resonates in North American and Latin American markets while delivering immediate on-track credibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IndyCar Focus for Now<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

O\u2019Ward sits third in the IndyCar standings and remains McLaren\u2019s top U.S. asset, especially with its F1 arm locked into the Oscar Piastri\/Lando Norris pairing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Franco #Colapinto<\/a> joining Alpine shakes up #Formula1<\/a> grid https:\/\/t.co\/KALMTuZ9iL<\/a><\/p>— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 9, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>