Cadillac F1 team announce Perez & Bottas as drivers for 2026
Cadillac has revealed the highly anticipated driver lineup for its debut season in Formula 1.
Returning to the grid will be Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, both highly experienced and respected within the sport and winners of six and 10 Grands Prix, respectively.
Perez has been without a team since leaving Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season, while Bottas is currently in the role of reserve driver at Mercedes, having left Sauber at the end of last year. The pair have more than 500 combined Grand Prix starts, over 100 podiums and will play a key role in helping Cadillac challenge as the eleventh team on the grid.
Sergio Perez at the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
“Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport”
Sergio Perez said, “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 honour to be part of 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.”
Valtteri Bottas added, "From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded.
“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.
Valtteri Bottas at the 2025 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix (Photo by Richard Pardon)
Who else is at Cadillac and where will they be based?
Cadillac’s place in Formula 1 was formally approved back in March, with its venture into the sport being backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors. Long-time motorsports and Formula 1 team executive Graeme Lowdon will serve as the Team Principal, while Ferrari will supply engine units for their debut season. The task of creating power units for the 2027 season onwards will be led by industry veteran Russ O’Blenes.
The team will operate across three locations in Fishers, Indiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Silverstone.
“Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent,” said Team Principal Graeme Lowdon. “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 cooperation and understanding.”
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Cadillac