Cadillac have announced Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as their driver line-up for 2026 F1 season.
2026 sees Cadillac make their debut on the F1 grid and after lengthy negotiations, the team have named an experienced line-up as Perez and Bottas return to the grid after one season on the sidelines with 106 podiums – including 16 wins – between the pair.
“Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent,” explained Cadillac 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 co-operation and understanding.”
Perez has spent this season away from F1 after Red Bull decided to drop him after the final race of last season due to his loss of form which saw Red Bull finish third in the constructors.
“Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career,” commented Perez “From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project.
“It’s an honor 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.
“I’m proud to be part of such an ambitious and meaningful project from 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.”
Bottas meanwhile lost his seat at Sauber at the end of last season and has spent this season as reserve driver at Mercedes, where he previously claimed 10 wins between 2017-21, but is ready for a new chapter with an all-new F1 team.
“From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded,” added 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.”
Bottas also praised Cadillac for their early professional attitude akin to his three previous big-name teams – having started his F1 career at Williams between 2013-17 – and is excited to represent an American team on the grid, whilst thankful of Mercedes’ support in helping him secure the drive.
“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.”
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