Cadillac has officially announced that Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez will form its driver pairing for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The American marque will join the grid as the sport’s 11th team, and after months of speculation linking it with several names, it has settled on two of the most experienced drivers in the paddock. Between them, Bottas and Perez boast 527 grand prix starts.
One of the Most Experienced Pairings in F1 History
In selecting Bottas and Perez, Cadillac has secured a duo with:
- 16 combined race victories
- Seven constructors’ championships
- A wealth of experience fighting in both the midfield and at the front
This makes them one of the most seasoned pairings Formula 1 has ever seen.
Cadillac’s Early Technical Path
Cadillac will partner with Ferrari as its engine supplier for its first two seasons before developing its own in-house power unit for 2028. Test and development work could begin as early as 2025, with TPC running an old Ferrari chassis.
Bottas: From Mercedes to Cadillac
Both drivers return to the grid after sitting out 2025. For Bottas, 2024 marked his first point-less F1 campaign, endured during his final season with Stake – a move he later admitted was a “mistake” after leaving Mercedes in 2021.
Despite this, Bottas remained active in 2025:
- Returned to Mercedes as reserve driver and mentor to rookie Kimi Antonelli
- Took part in a McLaren test at Barcelona, keeping himself sharp should a race seat have been required
Perez: A Year Away from Racing
Perez’s 2024 season at Red Bull ended in disappointment, scoring just 48 points across 18 races after Imola. He was subsequently dropped from the team and stepped away from F1 entirely in 2025.
Instead, Perez focused on family life, staying out of the spotlight and not attending a single grand prix since his last start in Abu Dhabi.
The Big Reveal
Cadillac unveiled its new pairing in a short social media video featuring actor Keanu Reeves, who is producing a documentary on the team’s journey from conception to its debut in Australia, just over five months away.