The Cadillac F1 team has confirmed its driver lineup for its debut season in 2026, announcing Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as the drivers for the team’s inaugural year. Both drivers have signed multi-year contracts with Formula One’s eleventh team.
The announcement arrives after Cadillac F1 spoke to several rookie and experienced drivers. With these signings, F1’s second American outfit has prioritized experience, as both Perez and Bottas bring valuable expertise to potentially help the team climb the competitive order.
Perez parted ways with Red Bull Racing after the 2024 season due to performance concerns, which reportedly stemmed from balance problems on the RB20 F1 car. His extensive 14-year premier class experience, working with teams of all sizes, made him an ideal choice for Cadillac.
The Mexican driver began his F1 career with Sauber in 2011, before racing for Force India/Racing Point from 2014 to 2020. He then moved to Red Bull and contributed greatly to the team’s championship victories in the current ground effect era. Bottas also arrives at Cadillac with the experience of racing with a championship-winning team.
Giorgio VIERA / AFP/Getty Images
The Finn parted ways with Sauber following the 2024 season and has since been on the sidelines with Mercedes as a reserve driver, the team he raced for from 2017 to 2021 alongside Lewis Hamilton, having played a significant role in the team’s championship victories.
Speaking on signing both drivers for the 2026 season, 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.”
Dan Towriss, CEO of the Cadillac F1 team, said:
“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.”
Addressing his return to full-time racing next year, Bottas said:
“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.
“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.”
Speaking on the “new chapter,” 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 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.”
Cadillac F1 received its final approval in March to race next year after going through several hurdles. A change in ownership and an increased involvement of General Motors led to its bid being approved. The team is currently gearing up at all levels to be race-ready in a few months, under the leadership of team principal Graeme Lowdon.
Cadillac F1 will race with Ferrari power units from 2026 to 2028, before switching over to its own engines in 2029. The 2026 season marks the inception of a new era of regulations, where two sources will power cars in an equal ratio: electric power and an internal combustion engine running on sustainable fuel.