Perez misses Mexico Grand Prix Fan Forum with illness
NXTbets Pro | Published On: October 30, 2026
Perez illness
Perez pulled out of the Fan Forum at his home Mexico Grand Prix because of illness, and he missed Friday media duties. The absence came at an awkward point in a home event that already carried extra attention, because Perez is set to make his 300th Grand Prix start this weekend. Even so, the move did not point to a wider change in his race-weekend plans. Perez and the team decided to give him extra time to rest and recover, a practical step that shifted the priority from appearances to getting him through the weekend in stronger shape. Cadillac said his participation for the rest of the Mexico Grand Prix weekend is not affected. Perez was the third driver this week to miss media duties because of illness.
Cadillac expectations for Perez
Cadillac expects Perez to take part in Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, keeping him lined up for the opening run of track action at his home race. That expectation matters because it shows the illness has changed the public side of his weekend more than the racing side. His 300th Grand Prix start gives the event added weight, but the team’s focus stays on keeping him ready for the sessions.
Valtteri Bottas duties
Valtteri Bottas will handle media duties for Perez, and he is also set to run in Free Practice 2 for Cadillac. That gives the team a ready replacement in the media center and another driver available for the second practice session. Bottas’ role matters because it keeps the team’s weekend routine moving while Perez recovers from the illness. Bottas was one of two drivers who missed Thursday media duties at the Mexico Grand Prix, along with Kimi Antonelli, and both were cleared for Friday running. For Cadillac, the arrangement is straightforward. Perez gets the rest time he needs, Bottas covers the media responsibility and joins the on-track program in Free Practice 2, and the team keeps its weekend plan intact at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
