August 27, 2025

A new giant is entering the thrilling world of Formula 1! Cadillac, backed by General Motors, will start racing in 2026 as the sport's 11th team. Leading this exciting adventure is Graeme Lowdon, a former Marussia Sporting Director. Cadillac boldly announced their star drivers: Sergio “Checo” Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, both signing multi-year deals. These two veterans bring a whopping total of 527 Grand Prix starts and 16 wins to the table, making them true F1 warriors. Graeme Lowdon called the signing of these two experienced drivers "a bold signal of intent." He believes their sharp race instincts and leadership skills will be the secret sauce in building a strong new team. Lowdon also thanked Mercedes for cooperating in releasing Bottas to Cadillac. Both Perez and Bottas, now 35 years old, lost their seats last season – Pérez left Red Bull to spend time with family, while Bottas became Mercedes’ reserve driver after departing Sauber. Sergio Pérez carries rich experience from teams like Sauber, McLaren, Force India/Racing Point, and Red Bull, where he helped secure the 2022 and 2023 Teams’ Championships. Pérez called joining Cadillac "an exciting new chapter" and said, "Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport, and I want to help make the team ‘a real contender, the team of the Americas.’" Valtteri Bottas, who celebrated five constructors’ titles with Mercedes from 2017-2021, said Cadillac feels "ambitious but grounded." He described joining the team as special, "built from the ground up," thanking Mercedes for supporting his move. Bottas added that Cadillac represents "the American spirit of racing on the greatest circuits in the world." Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss praised Pérez and Bottas for their "talent, maturity and drive," calling them not just drivers but "builders" of the team's identity. GM President Mark Reuss said the duo’s passion and experience will help lay a "foundation for American motorsports" with Cadillac in F1. Why not an American driver? ESPN revealed Cadillac wanted experience to shine right away with the 2026 rule changes. While young American talents like Colton Herta and Josef Newgarden have made names in IndyCar, none currently have enough F1 experience or Super License points. Even Logan Sargeant, the last American F1 driver, lost his seat, while Jak Crawford might only get testing roles. Cadillac considered other international drivers such as Zhou Guanyu and Mick Schumacher but was set on Pérez and Bottas from the start. Bottas weighed a move to Alpine but chose Cadillac’s long-term plan. Pérez, after a family break, was unsure about returning until Cadillac offered a solid multi-year deal that felt secure. Both drivers have strong reasons to prove themselves: Pérez wants a comeback after struggles at Red Bull, and Bottas aims to bounce back after tough years outside top teams. Interestingly, Michael Andretti once planned to bring a top American driver when the project began. However, after GM's bigger take over and Andretti stepping back, that dream faded. Mario Andretti, America’s last F1 winner and world champion from 1978, now joins Cadillac’s F1 board, keeping hope alive for future American stars. So, buckle up! Cadillac’s F1 journey kicks off with roaring engines and veteran stars ready to race. The American spirit is back on the grand stage – with Pérez and Bottas leading the charge into a new thrilling era of Formula 1. FAQs Q1. Who are the drivers for Cadillac’s Formula 1 team in 2026? Cadillac signed Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas on multi-year deals to lead their debut F1 season in 2026. Q2. Why did Cadillac not choose an American driver for Formula 1? Cadillac picked Pérez and Bottas for their experience, as the U.S. driver pool lacks enough F1-ready talent right now.

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Tags: Cadillac, Formula 1, Sergio pérez, Valtteri bottas, General motors, F1 2026,