Cadillac took a step closer to the grid for the 2026 Formula 1 campaign Tuesday morning, naming veteran drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas to lead the squad.
The American team, which is back by General Motors will be the 11th team next season.
Perez and Bottas have a combined 527 Formula 1 starts to their credit, including 16 victories. Both signed multi-year contracts.
Graeme Lowdon is sporting director for the team.
“Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent,” said 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.”
Perez most recently drove for Red Bull in 2023, but has experience with multiple other Formula 1 operations.
“Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career,” said 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.”
Bottas drove for Mercedes from 2017 to 2021 and was reserve driver for the team this season.
“From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded,” said 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 F-1 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.”
