Cadillac confirm Bottas and Perez for their 2026 F1 debut

Ahead of their debut season in 2026, Formula One’s brand-new outfit Cadillac have announced that Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will be their drivers when the team joins the F1 grid next year.

Cadillac, who are backed by General Motors and will be led by former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon, will become the sport's 11th team next season.

The American outfit has now confirmed that they have signed two Grand Prix winners, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas for their debut season at the pinnacle of motorsport.

“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.

"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.”

It marks a remarkable return for the veteran duo, both 35, after they lost their respective F1 race seats at the end of last season.

Reflecting on the news, Perez added: “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.

"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.”

Having spent the year so far as Mercedes' reserve driver, Bottas enjoyed incredible success at the Brackley-based outfit, playing a key role in the Silver Arrows winning the Teams' Championship every year from 2017 to 2021.

"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 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.”

CEO of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team and TWG Motorsports, a division of TWG Global, Dan Towriss 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 line-up announcement. It’s the beginning of a bold new chapter in American motorsport.”

GM President Mark Reuss added: "Our new drivers are a welcome addition to the Cadillac racing family – each brings a depth of experience, and an unwavering passion to win.

"Together, we’re building the foundation for American motorsports that will be an extraordinary legacy for Cadillac, GM and the sport.”