Formula 1 thrives on spectacle, and the reveal of the Cadillac F1 drivers has delivered one of the biggest surprises of the season. For their debut in 2026, the American marque is putting its trust in two battle-hardened veterans: Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. For both drivers, it marks a dramatic return to the grid after time away, and for Cadillac, it’s the boldest way possible to announce itself to the sport.
The Big Reveal: What You Need to Know
Cadillac confirmed the lineup on August 26, 2025, making it clear they value experience over experimentation. With more than 500 race starts and 16 wins between them, Perez and Bottas give the new team instant credibility.
- The Duo: Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, two of the most seasoned drivers on the grid.
- The Mission: To be the inaugural drivers for the brand-new Cadillac Formula 1 team.
- The Timeline: Both will debut in the 2026 F1 season.
- The Rationale: With proven racecraft, leadership, and technical feedback skills, they bring championship-level knowledge. Team Principal Graeme Lowdon described the decision as a “bold signal of intent.”
The Story Behind the Drivers
Checo’s Second Chance
For years, Sergio “Checo” Perez lived in the intense spotlight of being a Red Bull teammate. His final months at Red Bull were messy, but Cadillac gives him something he hasn’t had in years: a team built around him.
Instead of being measured against a superstar, Perez becomes the centerpiece of a brand-new project. Known for his strategic brilliance and tire management, he finally has the freedom to lead.
Perez put it best: “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.”
Valtteri’s New Horizon
Once a loyal wingman to Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas is also getting a fresh shot. After stepping away from the grid in 2025, his passion never faded. Long praised for his precision and steady technical feedback, Bottas is exactly the type of driver a newcomer needs.
“This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision,” Bottas said. “It’s not every day that you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up.”
More than just a racer, Bottas offers the mindset of a builder—helping Cadillac develop a car capable of evolving into a contender.
The Cadillac Play: Building a Legacy, Brick by Brick
Team Principal Graeme Lowdon emphasized that both drivers “understand what it means to help build a team.” That’s the guiding philosophy: build patiently, invest in experience, and create a foundation for long-term success.
Cadillac isn’t here just to fill a slot on the grid. By betting on veterans instead of rookies, they’re signaling a patient, thoughtful approach—a strategy designed to make the team credible from day one.
Why This Matters for F1
With sweeping 2026 car and engine regulation changes, the sport is entering a reset period. For Cadillac, that levels the playing field. Having two veterans who know how to extract performance from uncertain machinery could be the edge they need.
A podium might not come immediately, but Perez and Bottas give Cadillac a fighting chance to climb faster than most newcomers.
What’s Next?
Cadillac’s first driver lineup is more than just a headline—it’s a statement of intent. Perez and Bottas both return with points to prove, and Cadillac has tied its fortunes to their experience.
The challenge ahead is steep, but this partnership ensures Cadillac enters Formula 1 with instant credibility, steady leadership, and a clear vision.
What do you think? Will Cadillac’s bet on experience pay off in F1’s new era?