The Cadillac Formula One team has officially signed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez on as drivers for the 2026 season, the American manufacturer's highly anticipated entry into the sport. The team's decision to sign two experienced veterans speaks to the difficulty of starting from scratch in a highly competitive area.
Supported by General Motors, Cadillac is making a long-term commitment to being in F1, both Pérez and Bottas getting multiyear deals. Their wealth of experience will be invaluable in getting the team up and running as soon as possible.
It is not a racing project, it is a long-term concept," Bottas explained. "It is not every day that one gets the chance to build a team from scratch. I have witnessed professionalism at the elite level before, and I can feel that we already have it here.
Pérez mirrored that sentiment, underscoring his excitement about the new beginning. "I feel privileged to be part of such a far-reaching project from day one. I think collectively we can assist in making this team a true contender."
The two drivers bring impressive résumés to Cadillac. Mexican driver Perez has six F1 victories and has competed with five teams, most recently with Max Verstappen at Red Bull. Finnish driver Bottas has ten F1 wins and competed with Mercedes for five seasons with Lewis Hamilton. Together, they have 500 starting appearances and 106 podiums.
Their experience extends beyond race results. Both have played significant roles in developing cars and teams, which will be critical for a squad entering F1 with limited infrastructure and less than a year to prepare before the 2026 Australian Grand Prix.
Team Principal Graeme Lowdon highlighted the strategic importance of securing drivers of such experience. "Their leadership, feedback, instincts, and speed will be invaluable as we bring this team to life. It's a bold statement of intent for a team that wants to be fighting for wins as soon as possible," he explained.
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Cadillac's foray, announced last November, uses Ferrari engines in the short term until GM builds its own power plant for 2029. The organization is growing quickly, employing about one individual each day and with a new headquarters in Fishers, Indiana. European operations are located in Silverstone, UK, and engine development is taking place at GM's Charlotte, North Carolina, complex.
Although Mexico is an important market for GM, commercial motives were not the dominant consideration in driver selection. The organization is all about competitive performance and establishing a culture of excellence from the beginning.
Having Perez and Bottas join the lineup, Cadillac is making a statement that it doesn't just mean to be a newcomer. With two experienced veterans spearheading the effort, the team is poised to battle at the forefront and leave its impression on the Formula One grid from its inaugural race.
