Cadillac Enters Formula 1 in 2026: Pérez and Bottas at the Wheel
Cadillac’s new Formula 1 team will join the grid in 2026 with a lineup that will be familiar to many fans: Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas. This experienced duo, recently announced, represents a key piece in the new team’s identity. Both drivers have signed multi-year contracts, providing immediate stability in an environment as volatile as building an F1 team.
Although this choice might disappoint some American fans, given that Cadillac had hinted at the possibility of including a US driver, the final decision was based on the logic of selecting the best talent available. The Cadillac team will face a steep learning curve when joining the grid with new aerodynamic and engine regulations. Experience will be crucial for the team to get off to a good start.
The choice of Pérez and Bottas is justified by their “unrivaled mix of experience, leadership, and technical knowledge,” according to the announcement. Together, they have 527 Grand Prix starts, 23 poles, 16 victories (and three sprint race wins). Other drivers with possibilities, such as Daniel Ricciardo, were ruled out. Both drivers also have experience with different teams, as well as knowledge of the two most recent F1 dynasties: Mercedes (Bottas) and Red Bull (Pérez).
The team boss, Graeme Lowdon, explored various options, including the Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu and Mick Schumacher. However, sources close to the decision-making revealed that Cadillac decided on Pérez and Bottas from the beginning.
Bottas, after leaving Sauber, was eager to return, seeing in Cadillac an opportunity to lead a new project with great ambitions. For his part, Pérez, after leaving Red Bull, was not sure if he wanted to return to F1.
Pérez, during this time, enjoyed a safari in Africa and vacations in several places. He also attended soccer games of his favorite club, América.Description: After a year away from the sport, both Valtteri Bottas, on the left, and Sergio Pérez will return to F1 in 2026 with Cadillac.
Pérez, on the other hand, kept a close eye on F1, considering the future of his former teammate Verstappen and the possible opportunities that would open up. In addition, both Bottas and Pérez had a similar concern regarding Alpine. The team could not guarantee a quick decision on their drivers, which implied the risk of missing the opportunity with Cadillac.
Cadillac offered both drivers a concrete, long-term agreement. It is understood that other teams offered them positions starting in 2027, but the risk of waiting another year was too great. The proposal of a multi-year contract and the opportunity to integrate into a new team proved decisive.
Expectations for Pérez and Bottas
Cadillac’s new driver pairing not only brings experience, but also a desire to prove their worth.
Pérez seeks to regain his best form, after a complicated exit from Red Bull. Bottas, for his part, seeks a second chance in F1.
Why aren’t there any American pilots?
The lack of American drivers is mainly due to a shortage of talent in a context of limited testing. Michael Andretti, when leading the project that became Cadillac, wanted to have an American driver, but the situation changed with the greater involvement of General Motors.
The choice of American drivers is not easy in modern F1. Most new recruits come from lower European categories, such as Formula 2 and Formula 3, which compete on the same circuits and use the same tires as F1.
Speculation arose around IndyCar’s Colton Herta, but it seems he won’t achieve the necessary points for the Superlicense. Josef Newgarden, 34, seems to have missed the opportunity to reach F1.
There is some skepticism in F1 towards IndyCar and American races in general. F1 accepted Cadillac’s proposal once General Motors increased its participation and committed to building both the car and the engine. Mario Andretti, the last American F1 winner and world champion, is a member of the Cadillac F1 board of directors. Finding an American driver is a long-term goal for the team.
