Cadillac has made waves by announcing that Formula 1 veterans Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez will be their drivers for the 2026 season. Both drivers, at 35 years old, bring a wealth of experience, with a combined total of 16 Grand Prix wins and over 500 race starts.
Bottas, who has previously driven for Mercedes, expressed excitement about joining Cadillac. He described the team as “ambitious yet grounded,” emphasizing the chance to contribute to a new entity in the F1 landscape. Perez echoed this sentiment, calling it “an incredibly exciting new chapter” for his career. He believes that their combined expertise can help transform Cadillac into a strong competitor.
Cadillac’s CEO, Dan Towriss, explained that their decision to choose experienced drivers was intentional. In the early stages of development, they felt that Bottas’ and Perez’s leadership skills and technical knowledge would be invaluable. General Motors president Mark Reuss backed this view, noting that experienced feedback is crucial for vehicle development at this time.
Interestingly, while the topic of American drivers has come up during the team’s formation, Cadillac’s focus remains on experience. Towriss highlighted that promising drivers like Colton Herta from IndyCar lacked the superlicence points necessary for F1. He reassured fans that they do have plans to create pathways for American drivers in the future but wanted the best fit for this inaugural season.
Recent surveys indicate a growing interest in F1 in the U.S., fueled by the sport’s rising popularity in the country. With innovations in streaming and the emergence of new fan engagement platforms, F1 is tapping into a fresh audience. As Bottas and Perez gear up for their new roles, they may well have a chance to inspire the next wave of American racers.
For those interested, here’s the current lineup for the 2026 season:
- Cadillac: Sergio Perez/Valtteri Bottas
- McLaren: Oscar Piastri/Lando Norris
- Ferrari: Charles Leclerc/Lewis Hamilton
- Red Bull: Max Verstappen/TBA
- Mercedes: TBA/TBA
- Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso/Lance Stroll
- Alpine: Pierre Gasly/TBA
- Haas: Esteban Ocon/Ollie Bearman
- Racing Bulls: TBA/TBA
- Williams: Alex Albon/Carlos Sainz
- Audi: Nico Hulkenberg/Gabriel Bortoleto
As the teams prepare for 2026, it’s clear that the race to the top in F1 is more competitive than ever, and Cadillac’s strategic choices could change the landscape for years to come.
