Cadillac confirm Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as drivers for debut Formula 1 season in 2026

Cadillac have announced that Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will drive for the team in their first Formula 1 season in 2026. The pair bring a combined 16 race wins, 103 podiums and 26 seasons of experience.

Both drivers were without seats in 2025. Perez, 35, left Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season and took time away from racing, while Bottas, also 35, lost his Sauber drive but remained in the paddock as Mercedes’ reserve driver. The Cadillac deal provides both with a route back to full-time competition.

The American manufacturer, owned by General Motors, will join the grid as Formula 1’s 11th team in 2026, coinciding with the introduction of new engine and chassis regulations. The team will be based across Silverstone, Indiana and North Carolina.

Bottas said in a press release: “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.”

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. Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport, and to help bring such a fantastic company to Formula 1 is a huge responsibility.”

Team principal Graeme Lowdon explained the choice: “Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent. Their leadership, feedback, instincts and speed will be invaluable as we bring this team to life.”

Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss and 1978 world champion Mario Andretti are advising the project. The team’s first race will take place at the Australian Grand Prix on March 8 2026.