Formula 1 today: Pérez extends with Cadillac, Audi signs Fuhr

Pérez stays at Cadillac until at least 2029, Audi appoints a new engine company CEO and Antonelli can clinch the title in Mexico.

Start/finish straight and grandstands of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit in our 3D environment, without cars — Image: scene from our 3D replay

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Pérez stays at Cadillac until at least 2029

Sergio Pérez has extended his contract with the Cadillac F1 Team. According to formula1.com, the new deal runs until at least 2029. The announcement came shortly before his home race. The Mexican has driven for Cadillac since the team entered the sport this season. He stresses that he wants to focus fully on the next three years. Building a Formula 1 team from scratch, he says, takes time, hard work and patience. Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss calls Pérez an integral part of the team.

On track, the debut year has been tough so far: Cadillac has yet to score a championship point. At the United States GP, Pérez finished 19th, while Valtteri Bottas retired.

What next for Bottas?

That leaves only the second seat open. According to an analysis by formula1.com, Cadillac has not yet taken up its option on a 2027 season with Bottas. Even so, the Finn is still seen as the favourite. formula1.com names test driver Colton Herta as a serious alternative. He is also set to drive in first practice in Mexico. Other names linked to the seat are regarded there as outsiders.

Audi: Thomas Fuhr to head the engine company

Audi has appointed Thomas Fuhr as the new CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH. He takes up the post on 1 November. The company, based in Neuburg an der Donau, develops and builds the power unit for the Formula 1 project. Fuhr ran Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains from 2009 to 2012. After that, he held management positions in industry.

According to Audi, the new structure allows technical chief Stefan Dreyer to focus entirely on developing the power unit. COO Christian Foyer remains responsible for operations in Neuburg. Team principal Mattia Binotto says of the new man: "Thomas understands the technical challenges."

Preview: match point for Antonelli in Mexico

This weekend the Mexico City GP takes place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Andrea Kimi Antonelli leads the championship standings on 365 points. Behind him are George Russell on 242 and Lewis Hamilton on 241 points. According to formula1.com, a top-nine finish will make Antonelli world champion. Even with a worse result he takes the title, as long as neither Russell nor Hamilton wins.

According to formula1.com, it will be Pérez's 300th Grand Prix start. Several young drivers will also take to the track in first practice, including Frederik Vesti, Leonardo Fornaroli, Jak Crawford, Luke Browning and Colton Herta.

The schedule (CET):
- FP1: Friday, 30.10., 19:30
- Qualifying: Saturday, 31.10., 22:00
- Race: Sunday, 1.11., 21:00