Cadillac is poised to finalize its inaugural 2026 Formula 1 driver lineup, with seasoned Grand Prix campaigners Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas expected to lead the team into its debut season. Sources close to the project, backed by recent comments from team advisor Mario Andretti, indicate that the pair are close to formalizing agreements, with an announcement likely before next week’s Dutch Grand Prix. For Cadillac, which is entering the sport in partnership with General Motors and TWG Global, securing two drivers with proven credentials is as much a strategic decision as it is a statement of intent.
Between them, Pérez and Bottas bring more than 530 race starts, 16 career victories, and a combined legacy of podiums, points, and resilience at the highest level. This experience is seen as vital for a new team expected to face a steep learning curve when it arrives on the grid in 2026. The last new entries into Formula 1 have typically spent several seasons at the back of the grid, battling technical limitations and the relentless pace of development. By choosing veterans who have experienced both championship contention and the grind of midfield teams, Cadillac hopes to accelerate its own development curve and minimize rookie errors.
Sergio Pérez joined Formula 1 in 2011 with Sauber and over time became one of the sport’s most reliable points scorers. He later raced for McLaren, Force India, Racing Point, and finally Red Bull, where he achieved six career wins and played a crucial role in helping Max Verstappen and the team secure dominant championship campaigns. His most successful season came in 2023, when he finished second in the drivers’ championship, contributing to Red Bull’s first ever one-two finish in the standings. Known for his tire management, racecraft, and ability to deliver podiums in sub-optimal machinery, Pérez is still considered one of the grid’s most resourceful drivers. After losing his Red Bull seat at the end of 2024, he returned to Mexico to spend time with family but never ruled out a comeback. Cadillac’s entry offers him a fresh start in a role where his experience and leadership will be central to building a team culture.
Valtteri Bottas made his Formula 1 debut in 2013 with Williams and rose to prominence during his five seasons with Mercedes between 2017 and 2021. There he scored ten Grand Prix wins and finished runner-up in the world championship twice, directly behind teammate Lewis Hamilton. Bottas later moved to Alfa Romeo, which became Sauber, before being released at the end of 2024. He returned to Mercedes as a reserve driver in 2025, lending support to their program while keeping his options open for a grid return. Bottas’s technical knowledge, composure under pressure, and familiarity with the systems of a top championship-winning team make him an attractive choice for Cadillac, which will rely heavily on driver input during its formative years.
The decision to select two veterans rather than up-and-coming talent was not made lightly. Reports from The Race, PlanetF1, and other outlets suggest that Cadillac considered a variety of candidates earlier in the summer, including Zhou Guanyu, Felipe Drugovich, and Alpine junior Paul Aron. American drivers such as Colton Herta were also loosely linked, given Cadillac’s branding ambitions and the lure of marketing appeal in its home market. However, a meeting of Cadillac stakeholders in July reportedly cemented a preference for proven winners, even if both Pérez and Bottas will be 36 by the time the 2026 season begins. The team concluded that the lessons these drivers bring from front-running outfits such as Mercedes and Red Bull would outweigh the longer-term investment potential of younger candidates.
While terms are thought to be finalized, formal contracts have not yet been signed. Andretti himself cautioned fans and media only to believe information confirmed directly by the team. Nevertheless, insiders suggest that both drivers will be announced together, and as soon as next week in Zandvoort. Cadillac also appears to be preparing test opportunities for its new drivers, potentially using older machinery purchased under F1’s “testing of previous cars” rules. Such sessions would allow Bottas and Pérez to integrate quickly with the team’s engineers and simulator staff, providing valuable feedback as preparations accelerate toward 2026.
Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 was officially approved in late 2024, making it the first new addition to the grid since Haas in 2016. The team will be based out of Silverstone with U.S. manufacturing facilities in Indiana, aligning with GM’s broader motorsport strategy. In its early years, Cadillac is expected to run Ferrari power units before transitioning to its own engines by 2029, a move that underscores the long-term vision for the program. The team principal, Graeme Lowdon, has past experience in F1 management and brings familiarity with nurturing drivers in challenging circumstances, having overseen Zhou Guanyu’s career while at Sauber.
The significance of Cadillac securing two established names should not be underestimated. New teams have historically struggled to attract big names; Lotus in 2010 managed to sign Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen, while BAR famously persuaded Jacques Villeneuve to lead its debut in 1999. For Cadillac, being able to pitch Pérez and Bottas as its inaugural drivers represents a major credibility boost. Beyond their on-track abilities, both drivers carry fan bases, sponsor recognition, and media visibility that can help Cadillac attract commercial backing and maintain relevance as it builds competitiveness.
There are, of course, risks. Both Pérez and Bottas are in the later stages of their careers, and neither will be expected to commit to long-term programs extending into the next decade. Cadillac may need to use their expertise as a short-term bridge to a second generation of younger drivers. There is also the danger that the team could become too reliant on experience, rather than balancing with youthful energy and development potential. Nevertheless, for a new team facing immense technical and operational hurdles, the trade-off makes sense: prioritize stability, feedback, and credibility at the launch, then evolve into a development pipeline once the team is established.
Cadillac’s arrival comes at a time of growing American interest in Formula 1, fueled by Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” series, multiple U.S. races, and the sport’s expanding commercial presence in North America. Pairing an American manufacturer with two well-known drivers is expected to draw attention from U.S. fans and global sponsors alike. It is also a chance for Cadillac to project its brand internationally on a stage unlike any other in motorsport.
For now, anticipation builds toward the expected confirmation. Once signed, Pérez and Bottas will begin integrating with Cadillac’s simulator and design teams, offering input on car development and race preparation. Whether Cadillac can compete with established mid-grid rivals in its debut season remains an open question, but with two of the most experienced hands in modern Formula 1, the team will at least ensure its learning curve is steep and its ambitions are taken seriously.