Cadillac has announced a veteran F1 line-up of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for its first season in 2026, ahead of this weekend’s Dutch GP.
With only few months remaining for Cadillac to formally join the F1 grid in 2026, the American outfit has made a major announcement regarding it driver line-up. They have confirmed the speculated stories of the veteran duo Bottas and Perez, joining the team from next season onward.
Bottas will move out from Mercedes to Cadillac, while Perez comes out of a forced sabbatical, as both make their F1 return in competitive capacity. The former raced for Sauber in 2024, while the latter did for Red Bull. But both weren’t retained by their respective teams for 2025.
For some time now, stories linked Bottas and Perez to the Cadillac seat, even though there were rumours about others as well, especially on the younger side. But the American F1 team has played smartly and banked on experience for its first year in the championship.
Bottas has 246 starts against his name with 10 wins, while Perez has started 281 races scoring six wins. Together they have more than 500 races under their belt, which will mark them as one of the seniormost and experienced duos on the grid in F1 2026.
“From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded,” said Bottas. “This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision. It’s not every day that you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up and helping shape it into something that truly belongs on the F1 grid.
“I’ve had the honor of working with some of the best teams in the world, and I can already see the same professionalism and hunger here. This is an iconic brand with a big legacy in American motorsport, and to be a part of the story as it enters the world stage of F1 is incredibly special for me. I’m looking forward to representing the American spirit of racing on the greatest circuits in the world. I’d also like to thank Mercedes for their unwavering support and sportsmanship in facilitating such an exciting step.”
Perez added: “Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career. From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project. It’s an honor to be part of a building a team that can develop together so that, in time, we will fight at the very front. Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport, and to help bring such a fantastic company to Formula 1 is a huge responsibility, one I’m confident of taking on.
“I’m proud to be part of such an ambitious and meaningful projectfrom the very beginning. I’m really pleased to be part of such a dynamic line-up, and together I believe we can help shape this team into a real contender, the team of the Americas. We’re counting on support from across the continent – and we want to make everyone proud.”
On the team side, team boss Graeme Lowdon said: “Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent. They’ve seen it all and they know what it takes to succeed in Formula 1. But more importantly, they understand what it means to help build a team.Their leadership, feedback, race-hardened instincts and of course their speed will be invaluable as we bring this team to life. A big thank you to the team at Mercedes for their co-operation and understanding.
TWG Motorsports’ Dan Towriss stated: “Bottas and Checo bring the perfect balance of talent, maturity, and drive. They’re not just accomplished racers, they’re builders, collaborators, and professionals who will help define what the Cadillac Formula 1 Team stands for. This moment marks more than just a lineup announcement. It’s the beginning of a bold new chapter in American motorsport.”
General Motors head Mark Reuss added: “Our new drivers are a welcome addition to the Cadillac racing family— each brings a depth of experience, and an unwavering passion to win. Together, we’re building the foundation for American motorsports that will be an extraordinary legacy for Cadillac, GM and the sport.”
Here’s video: https://x.com/Cadillac_F1/status/1960303622308167898
