Cadillac Signs Two Seasoned Veterans to Target Strong Start in Formula 1
The Cadillac Formula 1 team has been ramping up to join the grid for the 2026 season. Now, the final piece of the puzzle has just fallen into place. After months of speculation and millions of fans awaiting the news, Cadillac has officially confirmed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez as their driver lineup. With a combined 26 years of Formula 1 racing experience, the duo promises to bring determination, strategy, and grit to Cadillac's first season on the grid.
Since early 2023, rumors and announcements on Cadillac's journey into Formula 1 have bounced around the press. Former racer and team owner, Michael Andretti, alongside General Motors, first announced their intention to enter Cadillac in the series in January of that year. After being the only bid to receive FIA approval for their entry, Formula 1’s commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, rejected the bid, noting concern over the team's potential competitiveness. Nonetheless, the team behind Cadillac persisted, and in March of 2025, Cadillac received its final approval to join the Formula 1 grid for the 2026 season.
In the months since approval, Cadillac has wasted no time. The team has been making all the proper moves in terms of commercial viability, launching eye-catching marketing campaigns, partnering with powerhouse brands like Tommy Hilfiger, and even creating a documentary series starring Keanu Reeves. Yet, the biggest question mark surrounding the team remained: who would be the driver pairing? For months, fans debated whether IndyCar standouts, upcoming F1 prospects, or old F1 drivers would get the call. Yesterday, August 26th, 2025, the suspense is over: Bottas and Pérez have officially been named as the drivers to lead Cadillac’s inaugural season. Their years of experience in various F1 cars and on these twenty-four different circuits will help create a strong foundation for the Cadillac team to build upon.
Valtteri Bottas, the 35-year-old Finnish driver, brings twelve seasons of experience in an F1 car. After spending two years as their test driver, he made is career debut for the Williams Formula 1 team in 2013. Within his first two years, he showed immense talent, getting his first podium during his second season and finishing fourth in the World Drivers' Championship. However, the most notable era in his career spans from 2017 to 2021, while he was driving for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport. Bottas was called up to the seat when the 2016 World Drivers' Champion, Nico Rosberg, decided to retire. Partnered with the then three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, Bottas quickly learned the importance of the team, helping to defend his leading teammate, securing multiple World Constructors’ Championships, and finishing in the top five of the World Drivers' Championship every year he was with Mercedes. Following his run with Mercedes, Bottas remained in the sport for three more years before finding himself without a contract for the 2025 season. Currently, he is the reserve driver for Mercedes, patiently waiting for the 2026 season to begin. Having 67 podiums and 10 career wins, Valtteri Bottas is one of the most ideal drivers to help a new F1 team build its foundation. With experience on a dominant team such as Mercedes, he understands how Cadillac should be structured, how to use the data they are getting week after week to improve, and how communication between the drivers and engineers should proceed. With experience on midfield and back-of-the-grid teams, such as Alfa Romeo/Sauber, he understands how to work through the challenges that come with limited resources. Bottas is a consistent performer in a decent car, which could ultimately bring great things for Cadillac.
Sergio Pérez, also 35 years old, brings a similar well-rounded career history to his new team. With 14 years of experience in Formula 1 and four different teams under his belt, he too has the ability to build Cadillac's credibility as a racing team. In 2011, Pérez made his debut with the Sauber F1 Team. The Mexican driver quickly earned recognition with three podiums in his second season, despite a mid-tier car. After an unsuccessful year spent with McLaren, he joined Force India/Racing Point where he consistently remained in the midfield, with seven podiums, one win, and a fourth-place finish in the World Drivers’ Championship in 2020. It was his determination to consistently perform in an unreliable car that caught the attention of Oracle Red Bull Racing, who signed Pérez in 2021. Similar to Bottas’s story, at Red Bull, Pérez really learned the power of the team. Partnered with now four-time World Drivers' Champion, Max Verstappen, Pérez learned how to play his role, get consistent and competitive results, and bring the team two World Constructors’ Championships. Though Pérez departed Formula 1 at the end of 2024, his return with Cadillac marks a powerful comeback. For similar reasons to Bottas, Pérez is a great candidate to help Cadillac build its foundation and learn to perform in the sport. He too has experience in both top teams, like Red Bull, and midfield teams like Force India/Racing Point. Thus, he understands what separates the most dominant teams from the rest of the pack and can help bring some of those qualities to Cadillac. Additionally, Pérez brings an almost unmatched marketability to the team. With a massive following in Mexico and Latin America, he is easily one of the most popular drivers, providing Cadillac with global visibility and fan support.
Cadillac’s decision to sign Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez shows their commitment to entering Formula 1. Not just as participants, but as real competitors. With decades of combined experience, proven racing ability, and global fan appeal, this veteran duo offers Cadillac access to a strong foundation and marketability very few rookie teams could possess. If their knowledge and leadership translate, Cadillac’s 2026 debut could mark the beginning of a powerful new contender on the Formula 1 grid.
